P.O. Box 632 Findlay, Ohio 45839 Phone: 419-420-9327

Duane Smith
Kirkland's Warbler: A Rare and Endangered Species: Part Two
By Duane Smith
Jun 29, 2008, 22:30

"I knew that you would be interested in this," he said.  A friend of mine from Lima had just handed me the March 30, 2008 issue of The Gem.  The Gem is published by the Churches of God Publications.  This issue was of special interest to me.  It had an article written by Sonia A. Randall that was titled KIRTLAND'S WARBLER: GOD'S RARE & UNUSUAL BIRD.  Yes, the Kirtland's Warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) is certainly God's rare and unusual bird!  It is also an endangered species.

This rare and endangered bird is known as the rarest species of Warblers.  Kirtland's Warbler belongs to the family Parulidae or Wood Warbler family. The bobbing tail helps to confirm identification.  Its description was included in Part One last month.

 The Palm Warbler also has a bobbing tail but it has a distinct rust-colored cap that is clearly visible during the spring and summer.  My only record of it was September 15, 1998.  There was one at our feeder and frequented a picnic table on our patio for several minutes.  It continuously put on a show of its tail bobbing while on the picnic table. 

As mentioned last month, the song of Kirtland's Warbler has a "bubbling" or "gurgling" sound like the song of a House Wren.  It will typically end with an upward inflection.  The nesting site of this rare and endangered species had been limited to a very restricted area of Lower Michigan until 1996.   Since then it has increased to include some isolated areas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario because of a successful restoration program and public awareness.  Nesting sites are found in areas of jack pine.  Because of this, it is sometimes called the Jack Pine Warbler. 

The history of Kirkland's Warbler in Ohio is limited but important.  It winters in the Bahamas and migrates north through Ohio to its nesting sites.  It is rarely seen because their numbers are so few, Warblers migrate primarily at night, and they feed and rest during the day. 
Most migrants are seen in Ohio during the spring and are classified as accidental visitors or rare migrants.  In a 1988 edition of The Auk, H. Mayfield reported 30 sightings.  Most of these were in northern Ohio.  These spring sightings consisted of 1-2 individuals.  Confirmed sightings in May include Magee Marsh when a female was banded on May 21, 1980 and a male photographed on May 9, 1977.  Confirmed fall sightings are quite rare.  The only confirmed fall sightings were a specimen found at Cincinnati on September 27, 1975 and a documented photograph taken at Marietta on September 12, 1980.  More data becomes available as interest and research increases regarding this rare and endangered species.

The town of Roscommon, MI, celebrates the return of Kirtland's Warbler with guided tours and a Warbler parade.  Take a tour and experience an unprecedented pleasure.

Duane Smith may be contacted at gideon@wcoil.com.