Family: Parulidae, Wood Warblers view all from this family

Description 6" (15 cm). A large warbler, gray above with black streaks; yellow below with black streaks on sides; black cheeks with conspicuous white eye ring. Female similar but duller. Bobs its tail.

Endangered Status The Kirtland's Warbler is on the U.S. Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered throughout its U.S. range in Michigan and Wisconsin. This warbler nests in Jack Pines, the cones of which need fire in order to open up and release their seeds. Fire suppression practices have devastated the species by inhibiting the regeneration of the pines. Among the measures being taken to save the Kirtland's Warbler is controlled burning in its breeding range in an attempt to maintain the required habitat. Cowbird control is also essential to sustaining viable populations of this rare bird, as the nest predators are known to lay their eggs in Kirtland's nests.

Habitat Dense stands of young jack pines; in winter, also other low scrub.

Nesting 4 brown-dotted white eggs in a nest composed of bark strips and vegetable fibers, lined with grass and pine needles and sunk in the ground.

Range Breeds only in north-central Michigan. Winters in Bahamas.

Voice Low pitched, loud, bubbling, and rising at the end.

Discussion This warbler is noted for its extremely limited range. During the breeding season it is confined to dense stands of young jack pines that spring up after forest fires. Once such stands reach about 20 feet (6 meters), the birds abandon them. Even in winter Kirtland's Warbler inhabits low scrub, although not always pines.