By Marie Benner
Imagine walking through your backyard and spotting one of the rarest songbirds in the United States – the Kirtland’s warbler. The Kirtland’s warbler is a striking bird with a dandelion-yellow chest and blue-grey speckled wings. These spunky little birds are known for their energetic foraging habits, often seen hopping on the ground while wagging their tail in a characteristic up-and-down motion. But what makes them truly unique is the fact that their breeding range is incredibly small, and finding them requires a bit of luck and knowledge of where to look.
A Rare Bird with Specific Needs
The Kirtland’s warbler is a highly specialized species, and Michigan happens to be the heart of its breeding grounds. Our state is home to the largest area of Kirtland’s warbler habitat, with smaller populations also found in Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada. But the reason for such a limited range is tied to the bird’s very particular habitat preferences.
The warbler is incredibly picky about where it nests – much like a toddler with a specific food craving! These birds will only build their cup-shaped, grass nests in young jack pine forests between the ages of 6 to 22 years old. And not just any jack pine forest will do; the Kirtland’s warbler requires large, dense stands of these trees, covering 300 to 400 acres of land to even consider making a home. It’s a tough requirement, which is why their range is so small.
The Threats that Kirtland’s Warblers Face
Here’s where things get really interesting: jack pine forests actually need fire to regenerate. While many view fire as a destructive force, it plays a crucial role in the health of these ecosystems. Jack pines have “serotinous” cones that are sealed shut by a flammable resin, which only opens when exposed to fire. Without fire, the forest cannot regenerate, and thus, the habitat for Kirtland’s warblers diminishes. For many years, fire suppression in Michigan has led to a significant loss of suitable habitats for these birds.
To make matters worse, the warblers’ nests are frequently destroyed by brown-headed cowbirds, which are nest parasites. These cowbirds lay their eggs in the warbler’s nests, pushing the warbler’s eggs out and leaving the cowbird to reap the benefits of a safe home without building one of its own. Some people view this as cruel while others view it as clever, but regardless, this is the only way that cowbirds can reproduce. They cannot build nests of their own due to the way they have adapted to survive in their environment. Historically, cowbirds lived a nomadic lifestyle, following herds of bison to eat the insects off their back. Due to constantly being on the move, cowbirds adapted to lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.Therefore, cowbird egg removal is only justifiable when it’s legally conducted to help certain endangered species, such as the Kirtland’s warbler.
A Remarkable Recovery
Given all these challenges, the Kirtland’s warbler population plummeted to fewer than 200 breeding pairs. But in 1973, the species was placed on the endangered species list, and conservation efforts began. Restoration of jack pine forests, controlled burns to encourage regeneration, and efforts to reduce cowbird parasitism helped turn things around. Today, the population has skyrocketed to around 2,300 breeding pairs – a true conservation success! The Kirtland’s warbler was even removed from the endangered species list. However, it remains a conservation-reliant species, meaning it will always need ongoing protection.
Why Should We Care?
You might be wondering, why does it matter if this spunky, yellow-bellied bird thrives? The Kirtland’s warbler plays a vital role in the environment as a highly insectivorous species. Like many songbirds, they help keep insect populations in check, which can benefit farmers who would otherwise need to invest more in pest control. Additionally, the Kirtland’s warbler is a rare bird that birdwatchers dream of spotting. Its elusive nature has created a thriving bird-watching tourism industry in Michigan, which contributes to the local economy. As Michiganders, it’s our responsibility to help protect this iconic bird.
How Can You Help?
There are simple, impactful actions you can take to support the Kirtland’s warbler. The National Zoo in Washington D.C. has outlined 7 Simple Actions to Live Bird Friendly, which are easy to incorporate into your daily life. You can also directly support the warbler by participating in the Jack Pine Forest Planting Day in Grayling, MI, hosted by Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Huron Pines, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Additionally, by supporting zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, you’re also supporting crucial conservation efforts that benefit species like the Kirtland’s warbler. Together, we can continue the successful recovery of this incredible bird and ensure that future generations will have the chance to enjoy the sight and song of the Kirtland’s warbler in our backyards.
References
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums. (n.d.). Celebrating 50 years of the Endangered Species Act: Kirtland’s warbler. Association of Zoos & Aquariums. https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/celebrating-50-years-of-the-endangered-species-act-kirtlands-warbler#:~:text=Thanks%20to%20these%20decades%2Dlong,the%20state%20level%20in%20Michigan.
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). Kirtland’s warbler identification, all about birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. , All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Kirtlands_Warbler/id
Kirtland’s warbler. Audubon. (2025, February 13). https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/kirtlands-warbler - McGlashen, A. (2024, September 9). The Kirtland’s warbler has recovered, but the hard work of saving it will never stop. Audubon. https://www.audubon.org/news/the-kirtlands-warbler-has-recovered-hard-work-saving-it-will-never-stop
- Powell, H. (2022, July 15). Jack Pine Juggernauts: What will happen to Kirtland’s warblers after delisting? All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/jack-pine-juggernauts-what-will-happen-to-kirtlands-warblers-after-delisting/
- A song of success in the Jack Pine Forest. American Forests. (n.d.). https://www.americanforests.org/article/a-song-of-success-in-the-jack-pine-forest/
