Covered In Zebra-like Black And White Stripes, They Look Just Like Flying Humbugs
A tiny bird covered in diagnostic zebra-like black and white stripes making it resemble nothing more than a flying humbug!
MEET THE BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER
The Black-and-white Warbler is the only member of the genus Mniotilta. The genus name means “moss-plucking,” a reference to its habit of probing bark and moss for insects.
The oldest known Black-and-white Warbler was 11 years, 3 months old—a female that was banded in North Carolina in the 1950s and recovered in Pennsylvania more than a decade later.
As warblers go, Black-and-white Warblers are combative: they’ll attack and fight with other species that enter their territory, including Black-capped Chickadees, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and American Redstarts. This aggressive behavior extends to the wintering grounds, where they defend territories and when feeding in mixed flocks will drive other Black-and-white Warblers away.
WATCH AND LISTEN TO THIS BIRD IN THE VIDEO BELOW:
