Feather Identifier app iconFeather Identifier
Likely Black-and-white Warbler (alternate: Black-and-white Creeper); identification is uncertain from this single feather.
Small contour or covert feather; exact tract cannot be determined.

Likely Black-and-white Warbler (alternate: Black-and-white Creeper); identification is uncertain from this single feather.

Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Passeriformes; Family: Parulidae; Genus: Mniotilta; Species: Mniotilta varia (tentative).

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Family: Parulidae (New World warblers).

Shape
Narrow and tapered, with a rounded pale tip and an apparently asymmetrical dark vane.
Size
Appears roughly 5–7 cm long; no scale is provided, so measurement and species comparison are approximate.
Learn more about Likely Black-and-white Warbler (alternate: Black-and-white Creeper); identification is uncertain from this single feather. in the encyclopedia →

Found a feather like this?

Identify any feather from a photo, free.

Identify a feather

Description

This is a small, sharply patterned feather, but its markings alone do not securely identify the bird. Black-and-white Warblers are small, boldly streaked songbirds that creep along trunks like nuthatches and give a high, thin song.

Colour & Pattern

Creamy white to pale gray with a bold black longitudinal stripe or dark vane section. The visible surface appears matte; underside and rachis coloration are unclear.

Barb Structure

Compact, interlocking pennaceous barbs; fine detail and wear cannot be assessed clearly.

Rachis & Barb Pattern

Slender, dark central shaft with closely packed barbs and a sharp taper toward the tip.

Texture & Surface

Smooth, flat vane with a slightly soft-looking pale area; no obvious gloss or specialized texture is visible.

Feather Placement

Possibly wing or body; the narrow form and dark-and-pale pattern are not enough to assign a precise location.

Key Features

Small size, pale rounded tip, and strong black marking; a whole feather or additional views would be needed for confident identification.

Habitat

If a Black-and-white Warbler, it inhabits wooded areas, especially mature deciduous and mixed forests, and searches trunks and branches for insects.

Geographic Range

Black-and-white Warblers breed across much of Canada and eastern North America and winter from the southern United States through Central America and the Caribbean.

Ecological Role

Black-and-white Warblers are insect-eating forest birds that help regulate arthropod populations. The species is widespread, though forest loss and degradation can affect breeding habitat.

Similar Species

Other small warbler, sparrow, and woodpecker feathers can show black-and-white areas. Feather pattern and shape vary by body tract, so this image cannot reliably rule them out.

Interesting Facts

Black-and-white Warblers forage by spiraling along tree trunks, gleaning insects from bark crevices.

Cultural Significance

No species-specific cultural use can be established from this specimen. In the United States, possession of native bird feathers is generally regulated under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; do not collect or trade without confirming legality.

Field Identification Tips

Photograph both sides beside a ruler and record where it was found; compare with regional feather guides. Avoid collecting feathers where local wildlife laws prohibit it.

Condition Notes

Appears largely intact, with no clear breakage or severe fraying; overall condition looks good, though fine damage is not discernible.