Blue-winged Warbler replacing Gold-winged Warbler...

Blue-winged Warbler

Photo- All About Birds

Golden-winged Warbler

Photo- All About Birds

Here's a bit of an unfortunate tale.   The Blue-winged Warbler and the Golden-winged Warbler, like all warblers at this time of year, are heading south.

These are two attractive warblers that share the same habitats, i.e. southern Canada and the north-eastern United States.

Sadly over time, the Blue-winged Warbler is steadily taking over the Golden-winged Warbler's range.

They both inhabit brushy meadows, overgrown pastures, power-line cuts, and second-growth woodland borders and bogs.

The Blue-winged Warbler prefers a greater diversity of habitat however than the Golden-winged Warbler.   The Blue-Winged's range is expanding at the northern edge, gradually replacing the Golden Wing's range. 

Who knows how long this ongoing replacement situation will last?   Will extinction eventually prevail?

Meanwhile both these species continue to winter in southern Mexico and Central America and they are always a joy to see in their summer range.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry the Birder