What does the Black-and-white Warbler song sound like?

Mniotilta varia

Song common

Play the real Black-and-white Warbler song, the "wee-see, wee-see, wee-see", and learn what to listen for.

“wee-see, wee-see, wee-see”

What the Black-and-white Warbler song sounds like

A high, thin series of squeaky notes delivered at a deliberate pace, often compared to a squeaky wheel or a mouse with a megaphone.

“wee-see, wee-see, wee-see”

Birders often file this one under Primary Song.

How to find the bird singing it

Breeds in mature deciduous and mixed forests with large trees and a relatively open understory; during migration it uses almost any woodland, parks, and even mangroves.

Zebra Stripes: Bold black-and-white streaks run lengthwise over the head, back, and flanks.
White Wing Bars: Two narrow white wing bars contrast with black wings.
Facial Stripes: Black eye line and crown stripe separated by white supercilium create a striped head.

When you'll hear it

Spring/Summer (Breeding)

Males show crisp black on throat and flanks; females duller gray with buffy wash on flanks.

Fall Migration

Both sexes slightly duller; juveniles browner with less contrast but still distinctly striped.

Winter

Plumage similar to fall; birds in tropics often worn and browner yet pattern remains obvious.

Don’t confuse it with

Birds whose song gets mistaken for this one. Play them back to back.

Brown Creeper

Brown Creeper is brown and white mottled, not boldly striped

Black-and-white Warbler song FAQ

What does a Black-and-white Warbler song sound like?

A high, thin series of squeaky notes delivered at a deliberate pace, often compared to a squeaky wheel or a mouse with a megaphone. Birders write it as "wee-see, wee-see, wee-see".

How do I tell a Black-and-white Warbler from a Blackpoll Warbler by ear?

Blackpoll Warbler: Blackpoll has greenish back in spring males; lacks extensive white on underparts in fall plumage; Usually stays in outer canopy, not on trunks.

When is the best time to hear the Black-and-white Warbler song?

Long-distance migrant. Northbound birds arrive to breeding grounds from late April to May; southbound movement occurs July through October, peaking in August–September. Some linger in the Southeast all winter.

More Black-and-white Warbler sounds

Black-and-white Warbler: the full species pageEvery sound we have, field marks, habitat and similar species.How to Learn Bird Songs by Ear: A Gentle Two-Week MethodLearning bird songs by ear sounds intimidating until you realize you already know a few — that robin in your yard, the chickadee at the feeder. Here is the gentle on-ramp: seven birds to learn first, a memory trick that works even if you cannot carry a tune, and a ten-minute-a-day rhythm that turns spring noise into named neighbors.How to Learn Bird Calls Fast: A 7-Day Spring PlanYou have seven days. You want seven birds. This is the plan: one new song per day, a mnemonic per bird, ten minutes you steal from your coffee break. Sunday-to-Sunday, you walk outside and a name lands in your head before you have time to think about it.The Dawn Chorus: Which Birds Sing First Each Morning (And Why)Every morning, as the first light touches the sky, birds like the American Robin and Northern Cardinal begin their symphony. But why do they choose dawn for their most vigorous singing?