Return of Bird of the Week: Tennessee Warbler

This is a seriously mis-named species. It’s only briefly in Tennessee in migration, moving between the boreal forest in Canada and Central and South America.

The migration map, at least as to the western breeding range, is out of date as well. The Tennessee Warbler has expanded its range into interior Alaska. The mist netting stations at Creamer’s Refuge, just outside of Fairbanks, have captured hatch year Tennessee Warblers, strongly indicating they are breeding there.

This is a generalist feeding species. During breeding season, it takes invertebrates; butterfly caterpillars constitute the bulk of food volume when feeding hatchlings. It’s an opportunistic fruit eater during migration. In its winter range, it eats invertebrates, fruit, and nectar; it’s also attracted to feeders with bananas and plantains.

The Tennessee Warbler is unusual: it migrates during molt. Molting – growing new feathers –…