The Bachman's ("back-mans") warbler is a very rare summer resident of southeastern floodplain forests. These neotropical migratory birds are
approximately 4.0-4.5 inches (10-11 cm) long with a yellow to drab olive breast and face; an ashy, olive-colored back; and a short, curved black beak.
Males also have a black throat patch and olive crown. Their call is described as a distinctive buzzy "zeep." These warblers nest in thickened canopy
openings dominated by river cane, dwarf palmetto, blackberry and similar species. Bachman's warblers migrate in late summer to wintering grounds
in Cuba and return early in the spring. Bachman's warbler has long been considered one of North America's rarest songbirds. The bird was listed as
critically endangered in 1967, and no official sightings have been reported in several decades.
In 2001, however, reliable sightings were reported at Congaree National Park. Subsequent searches failed to document any Bachman's warblers,
but the study provided important insights into long-term ecological trends and calls for hope in conserving other species currently in decline. critically
endangered in 1967, and no official sightings have been reported in several decades. In 2001, however, reliable sightings were reported at Congaree
National Park. Subsequent searches failed to document any Bachman's warblers, but the study provided important insights into long-term ecological trends
and calls for hope in conserving other species currently in decline. Congaree National Park. Subsequent searches failed to document any Bachman's warblers,
but the study provided important insights into long-term ecological trends and calls for hope in conserving other species currently in decline.