KIRTLAND's WARBLER Dendroica kirtlandii (Baird) 



Order: PASSERIFORMES Family: PARULIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Small bird with finely pointed bill . Bluish gray above 

 with black streaks on back. Male has black mask, is pale yellow below with distinct 

 dark streaks on sides of breast. Female is duller and lacks mask. In fall plumage, face, 

 sides, and upper parts heavily obscured with brown. Habit of bobbing tail at all times. 



Present distribution : Breeds in the northern part of the lower peninsula of Michigan 

 from Lake Huron west to Kalkaska County and from Presque Isle County south to Ogemaw 

 County principally in watershed of the AuSable River . Nesting habitat young jack pines 

 with low brushy undergrowth . Winters in the Bahama Islands . Recent records from 

 Eleuthera, New Providence, and Grand Bahama, 5 in 1964. Winter habitat noted as pine 

 woods , broad-leafed scrub , and Australian pine (Casuarina ) . 



Former distribution : Perhaps more extensive breeding area. Winter specimens taken on 

 10 of the Bahama Islands between 1879 and 1915 . Early observers noted winter habitat as 

 broad-leafed scrub . 



Status : Vulnerable due to small numbers, limited geographical range, exacting breeding 

 habitat requirements , and increasing parasitism by cowbirds . 



Estimated numbers : Less than 300 pairs . 



Breeding rate in the wild : Usually lays 5 eggs in first set and 4 in replacement sets. 

 Two records of two successful nestings in one season by same pair, but may be more 

 often . 



Reasons for decline : Population may fluctuate with varying amounts nesting habitat. 

 Parasitism of cowbirds thought a probable limiting factor to production. Nothing known 

 of limiting factors on wintering grounds . 



Protective measures already taken : The U.S. Forest Service has set aside 4,010 acres 

 of National Forest to be managed to provide optimum nesting habitat for Kirtland's warbler. 

 Prescribed burning is being used in this area to create the young jack pine stands needed. 

 The Michigan Conservation Department has established three Kirtland's Warbler Management 

 Areas, each of 4 square miles, on State forest land. Michigan Audubon Society is coo- 

 perating with U.S. Forest Service in planting jack pines on burned areas where natural 

 reproduction is not occurring. Dr. Nicholas Cuthbert studied and controlled cowbirds 

 with favorable results. Kirtland's Warblers are strictly protected by State and Federal 

 laws . National Audubon Society has recently underwritten an assessment of the winter 

 status of this bird . Florida Audubon Society has attempted to get protection for areas 

 where birds observed in Bahamas . The third decennial census of this species for 1971 

 organized by Harold Mayfield. 



Measures proposed : More study of the wintering areas in the Bahamas to determine the 

 habitat requirements and possible limiting factors there which might be controlled. Obtain 

 protection for wintering areas where birds have been seen recently. Expand protected 

 breeding areas. Continue control of cowbird parasitism of Kirtland's warbler nests. 

 Continue study of jack pine reproduction and ecology at North Central Forest Experimental 

 Station . 



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