2025 MURAL SPECIES!
kirtland’s warbler
Setophaga kirtlandii
STATUS:
US STATUS: No Status/Not Listed
MI STATUS: T - Threatened (Legally Protected)
Description:
A relatively large wood warbler with adults 5 ¾ inches (14.6cm) in length and weighing 12-15 grams. Adults with a yellow breast with black streaks confined to the sides; two white wing bars, and a heavily streaked blue-gray back. The distinctive white eye ring is broken at the front and back of the eye. The adult female is less colorful than the male, having gray cheeks, paler streaked sides and breast and a grayish-brown back. The Kirtland's warbler persistent tail-pumping habit is similar to that of the Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) and Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor).
Habitat and Occurrence
If you’re looking to find a Kirtland’s Warbler for yourself, check within the following ecosystems within the green counties on the map!
All information on this page is generously provided by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI). For more information about Kirtland’s Warblers - visit the species description here: mnfi.anr.msu.edu/kirtlands-warbler. To learn more about Michigan’s biodiversity, ecological communities and natural heritage, visit mnfi.anr.msu.edu
get involved with kirtland’s warbler conservation!
While there are currently no Community Science projects specifically operating to benefit the preservation of Kirtland’s Warbler in Michigan, there are many organizations who work to protect the young Jack Pine habitats where it resides! Volunteer with some of these organizations and help protect the habitat that Kirtland’s Warbler need in order to survive. You also can participate in Breeding Bird Surveys with Michigan Audubon which helps understand bird populations throughout our state!
report an observation
MNFI stewards the Michigan Natural Heritage Database and track observations of some of Michigan’s rarest forms of life to fully understand the population and range of rare species to protect biodiversity in Michigan. If you have encountered a Kirtland’s Warbler, you can share the location information with these trusted conservation professionals here: mnfi.anr.msu.edu/species/report