Smaller than a sparrow, the male Blackburnian Warbler in breeding plumage is brilliantly
colored with a yellowish-orange head, black mask, and flaming orange throat.
The bird is found mostly in eastern North America but has expanded its territory as
far west as Alberta, Canada. It prefers the tops of hemlock and conifer trees, where it
feeds on caterpillars, beetles, and the occasional flying insect.
Thomas Pennant named this warbler in honor of English botanist Anna Blackburne (1726-1793).
Its Latin species name was blackburniae until ornithologists realized a Dutch
scientist earlier had called it fusca. Other local names include Fire-throat,
Fire-brand, and Torch-bird.
