Blackburnian Warbler

September 11, 2012

You might recognize this beautiful Blackburnian Warbler Setophaga fusca, which breeds in your favorite mature forest in northeastern North America? This picture, however, was taken in Nicaragua during the warbler’s migration period. It’s easy to forget that birds we take for granted as “ours” also spend part of their annual cycles in other parts of the world. By comparing birds throughout their annual cycles, scientists can associate what they learn about parasites and pathogens found in and on birds in the Chicagoland area with what lives in and on birds during migration or on their wintering grounds.
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(c) The Field Museum, Division of Birds, Jason Weckstein