The black-throated gray warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) is a small songbird found in western North America. It is known for its distinct plumage and its loud, complex songs. The male black-throated gray warbler has a black throat and upper chest, white underparts, and gray on the head, back and wings. The female is similar but lacks the black throat patch.
Black-throated gray warblers are found in open coniferous forests and woodlands, especially those with ponderosa pines, Douglas firs, and oaks. Their breeding range stretches from southern British Columbia down through the western United States to Baja California and New Mexico. They migrate to Mexico and parts of the southwestern U.S. for the winter.
The songs and calls of the black-throated gray warbler are very noticeable and help identify this species. Their loud, complex songs carry far and sound buzzy and hurried. The most common song is a series of accelerated high, thin notes ending in a buzzy trill. They also make a sharp “chip” call note.
Description of the Black-Throated Gray Warbler’s Song
The song of the male black-throated gray warbler is loud, buzzy, and complex. It is very distinctive once learned. The song varies across the species’ range but the most common version consists of a hurried, accelerated series of high, thin squeaky notes ending in a buzzy trill.
This common version of the song starts with a few short, squeaky notes that accelerate into a quick series of 10-25 higher, thinner notes. These notes rise and fall in pitch somewhat randomly before ending in a fast, buzzing trill that descends in pitch. The trill lasts for 1-3 seconds.
The overall impression is a hurried, almost frantic series of notes that build in speed and urgency as they progress. The thin, squeaky quality of the introductory notes differs from the buzzy trill at the end. The song has an abrupt ending, not tapering off slowly.
Overall the song lasts for 3-5 seconds from start to finish. It is very high-pitched and piercing, sounding buzzy and insect-like to human ears. The song carries far through the woods, often being audible from over 100 meters away.
Geographic Variation in Songs
The songs of the black-throated gray warbler vary across their range. There are distinct regional dialects. However, all versions contain a series of thin, high fast notes ascending in pitch and ending in a buzzing trill.
In the interior Pacific Northwest, the song consists of a long, fast, buzzy trill without distinct introductory notes. In California, the song starts with a couple slower notes before accelerating into the trill.
In Arizona and New Mexico, the song contains more distinct introductory notes in addition to the trill. Throughout Texas and Mexico, the song also includes slower notes first but retains the faster trill at the end.
Other Vocalizations
In addition to its main song, the black-throated gray warbler makes other sounds. Both males and females frequently give a short, sharp “chip” or “dit” call while foraging. This functions as contact call between mates and in small flocks. It is a common sound while birdwatching these warblers.
During aggressive encounters, males give a fast, buzzy “zreeet” call. This functions as a territorial dispute call. Females may use a lower-pitched version when approaching the nest.
Young black-throated gray warblers emit persistent, rhythmic begging calls from the nest. These are loud, buzzy notes repeated every 1-2 seconds. Parents can locate nestlings by homing in on the begging calls.
When Do They Sing?
The singing behavior of black-throated gray warblers varies over the course of the year. As in many migratory songbirds, males sing most actively during the breeding season to attract mates and defend territories.
Singing starts as soon as males arrive back on the breeding grounds in spring. It continues through pair formation and nesting, finally tapering off as summer ends. In spring, males may sing almost constantly throughout the day.
Singing occurs less often in late summer and essentially ceases altogether in fall and winter when birds migrate away from breeding areas. Brief spurts of subsong may occur on wintering grounds. Singing resumes again at its highest level in the following spring.
Functions of the Song
The complex songs of male black-throated gray warblers serve multiple important functions:
– **Attracting females** – Songs advertise a male’s presence on his breeding territory. Females are attracted to strong singers when choosing a mate.
– **Defending territories** – Songs announce ownership of a territory and repel intruding males. More persistent singers often win in territorial disputes.
– **Mate guarding** – Frequent singing helps a male follow his mate’s movements closely as she nests and forages.
– **Signaling fitness** -healthier males often sing more complex songs at a faster pace, signalling their physical condition.
So by singing vigorously, male black-throated gray warblers improved their chances of attracting a mate, defending a prime nesting territory, and raising healthy young. Female warblers likely assess songs when picking the best partner.
How to Identify the Song
The distinctive song of the black-throated gray warbler makes identifying this species straightforward with some practice:
– Listen for a series of very high, thin, fast, squeaky notes that accelerate in speed.
– Note how the series of notes rises sharply in pitch toward the end.
– Listen for the buzzing, insect-like trill at the end of the song. This trill is lower-pitched than the introductory notes.
– Focus on the hurried, urgent sound of the song and the abrupt ending after the trill.
– Note how the song carries far and sounds high-pitched compared to other woodland birds.
– Eliminate similar species like Townsend’s warbler based on range or lack of the buzzy trill.
With practice listening to recordings or hearing the song in the field, birders can learn to recognize the black-throated gray warbler by its unmistakable vocalization. Paying attention to the song structure, pitch, and buzzy quality are key to identifying this species by ear.
Conclusion
The black-throated gray warbler produces a loud, high-pitched, hurried-sounding song that is critical in attracting mates and defending its breeding territory. The most common version starts with thin, squeaky notes that accelerate into a quick series of higher notes ending in a buzzing trill. Regional dialects vary across the species’ range but all contain this general pattern. Learning the unique song of the black-throated gray warbler can help birdwatchers quickly identify this striking wood warbler species in western forests. With some practice, the song’s thin, squeaky introductory notes and trademark buzzing trill make this warbler easily recognizable by ear.