Cerulean warbler, Dendroica cerulea (Wilson), is a wood warbler in
the Subfamily Parulinae of the Family Emberizidae, Order
Passeriformes. No controversial or unsettled issues exist in the
taxonomy of this bird. The numbers of cerulean warblers are
declining at rates comparable to the most precipitous rates
documented among North American birds by the cooperative Breeding
Bird Survey. Recent evidence suggests that events on breeding,
stopover, and wintering grounds are implicated in this decline.
However, no detailed life history study of the species exists. This
status assessment is an attempt to assemble what is known of the
species into a form that will enable biologists in the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service to make a decision on whether or not to
propose listing of the species under the Endangered Species Act.
The report will also help the Service and others establish
priorities for monitoring; research; and habitat protection,
restoration, and management that will conserve this species.
Cerulean warbler is a small, neotropical migratory bird that weighs
approximately 8-10 grams, and has relatively long, pointed wings
and a short tail. All plumages have two white wing bars and white
tail spots. Males have streaked backs in all plumages; females do
not. Males in breeding plumage are blue above, white below, with a
blueblack neck ring. Females in breeding plumage are bluish green
above, white below washed with yellow, with a white or yellowish
line over the eye. Young birds are similar to the adult females but
greener. Cerulean warblers feed primarily on insects throughout the
year. Open-cup nests are placed in the canopy of forest trees where
the birds raise usually a single brood. Clutch size is usually 3-4
eggs. Adult and juvenile mortality rates are unknown. The longevity
record is at least 6 years. Only 1 of 1399 banded individuals has
been encountered later away from the original capture locality.
Conventional wisdom about habitat for cerulean warblers is that the
birds breed in large tracts of deciduous forest having large trees
and an open understory. These tracts may be in upland or bottomland
situations. Migratory and winter season habitats are poorly known.
Cerulean warblers breed in eastern North America primarily in the
Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. The range generally extends
from the eastern Great Plains, north to Minnesota; east to
Massachusetts; and south to North Carolina and Louisiana. During
migration the birds pass through the southern U.S., across the Gulf
of Mexico to the highlands of Central America, and on to South
America. They winter in the lower elevations of the subtropical
zone of the eastern slope of the Andes and other mountains in
northern South America. Historical data on the occurrence and
abundance of the species are sparse and do not permit estimation of
total numbers. However, it is clear that this species was a
conspicuous and abundant bird throughout the Ohio and Mississippi
River valleys in the past century. Currently the birds are much
less numerous in areas where formerly they were abundant. The North
American Breeding Bird Survey suggests that, during the past 30
years, the population has declined at an average annual rate of
approximately 4%. Summaries of the Breeding Bird Survey, Breeding
Bird Census, Breeding Bird Atlas, conservation status, and other
information pertinent to individual nations, states, and provinces
are presented for each political division within the range of the
species. Current numbers and distribution of the species are such
that an adequate summary of occurrence by land ownership categories
cannot be prepared, other than to state that the birds are found on
public lands, industrial forest lands, and other private lands. One
study found the birds more frequently on public than on other land
ownerships.
General
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