WildBird

Chickadees & Warblers

As the warblers, vireos, and other migrants begin to trickle through the United States each fall, it can sometimes be difficult to find them. Picking the birds out in spring migration is a lot easier, because they are singing, their plumage is brighter, and the foliage is not so thick. During the fall, the birds are more likely to sneak by unnoticed. However, I have discovered an affective way to locate more of those fall warblers and vireos. Look for chickadees. Pay close attention whenever you hear a group of chickadees or titmice arguing in the woods. More than likely there are a few warblers in that flock as well. Nearly all of the fall migrants I have found were hanging out with chickadees. I have even noticed this to be true at the backyard feeders. Although most warblers and vireos do not feed from the feeders themselves, sometimes they will follow a flock of seed-eating birds right up to your feeding station. Once I noticed a bunch of chickadees and titmice show up at my feeders. In the trees behind them, I saw a Nashville warbler, an American redstart, some black-throated green warblers, a blue-headed vireo, and a golden-crowned kinglet. All from my back window! What brings the chickadees and warblers together? Do they just enjoy the company? Chances are we find the birds together because they share common food sources (insects and berries). Whatever the reason, it sure pays off to look closely at every chickadee you encounter. That “chickadee” could turn out to be a northern parula. --Kyle Carlsen Vincent, Ohio

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