Black-throated Gray Warbler

Setophaga nigrescens

Spring migration has begun! And how do we know? Because flocks of warblers are migrating through Los Angeles including Debs Park. Warblers during migration are known to travel in mixed flocks, or in groups with a variety of warbler species. Most of these warblers have dashes of yellow, but there is one in particular that is black. That’s right, the Black-throated Gray Warbler, Setophaga nigrescens, barely makes the cut to join the other bright warblers with the perfect amount of yellow right on the nares. This warbler actually breeds in Los Angeles and we can find them around in the park until it decides to return to its’ wintering grounds. Their diet consists mainly of insects, but more study is needed to see if they will eat anything else. Los Angeles is their breeding ground and they have a preference for dry conifer forest and mixed woods. Females only incubate the eggs, but males and females feed the nestling. Their clutch size is usually 4 eggs, and is not well known when the young leave the nest. I guess we can say this one mysterious bird, but not too much because you can see them at Debs.