The Black-and-White Warbler Mniotilta varia is a fairly common winter resident on Abaco. They are the only birds of the genus Mniotilta (“moss-picker” gr.). Unlike most warblers these birds behave rather like nuthatches, creeping along the trunks and branches of trees grubbing insects out of the bark. Pine trees are ideal for this. I remain rather dim about the 37 species of warbler on Abaco. A lot of them are small and yellow. But as soon as I saw one of these for the first time, I was very relieved. I knew exactly what it was – the bird that has been described as ‘a flying humbug’.
Finally, this is a great short video of this little bird in action. Even if you only watch the first 30 seconds, you will be enchanted…
Image Credits: Bruce Hallett, Tom Shelley, Tom Reed (my own were too feeble to use…). All are contributors to “The Delphi Club Guide to the Birds of Abaco” (Publ. March 2014)
ROLLING HARBOUR ABACO 
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Thanks for the link – appreciated! RH
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Yes, I’ve seen them here on New Providence. Aren’t they the coolest birds to watch?! Their movements actually remind me of woodpeckers as they go around and about a tree trunk.
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Gina, thanks for calling in at Rolling Harbour. I’m glad B&Ws are found on NP as well, they are such fun to watch. I agree about the woodpecker similarity – Hairy more than WI I think. Woody Humbugs? RH
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Oh they’re so sharp and beautiful! I’d Love to see one of them!! Gorgeous.
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Good, aren’t they! And none of them my pics. Dang! I don’t know if B&Ws are found on the Cays. It’s possible they head naturally for a larger land mass – more trees to forage in…
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