Kirtland's Warbler



Kirtland's Warbler is only about six inches in height. It was named after Dr. Jared P. Kirtland, whom wrote the first lists of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibian animals. The male Kirtland's warblers' summer plumage is composed of a distinctive bright yellow colored breast streaked in black and bluish gray back feathers, a dark mask over its face with white eye rings, and bobbing tail. The female's plumage coloration is less bright; her facial area is devoid of a mask. Kirtland's warbler was discovered in 1879. In 1903, the first nest was discovered in Oscoda County in northern lower Michigan. Until 1996, all the nests were found within 60 miles of the site. The diet of the warbler includes many different insect species at various developmental stages, including caterpillars, butterflies, moths, flies, grasshoppers, as well as ripe blueberries, when in season.