Feeding Behavior

Forages rather deliberately in trees, searching for insects along branches and twigs as well as among leaves. Sometimes flies out to catch insects in mid-air, or searches for items on bark of major limbs.

Eggs

3-5, usually 4. Whitish, lightly spotted with brown. Incubation is by both parents, about 12-14 days. Nests are often parasitized by cowbirds. Young: Both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 2 weeks after hatching.

Young

Both parents feed the nestlings. Young leave the nest about 2 weeks after hatching.

Diet

Mostly insects. In summer feeds almost entirely on insects. True bugs (including stink bugs, treehoppers, and leafhoppers) are major items in diet; so are caterpillars, beetles, wasps, bees, ants, and others; also spiders. May eat a few small fruits and berries in winter.

Nesting

Male sings frequently throughout the day to defend nesting territory. In courtship display, male may fluff up plumage and bob his body up and down. Nest: Placed in horizontal fork of branch in tree, usually near the tip, and often 15 to 20' above the ground. Nest (built by both sexes) is a rather bulky open cup, suspended by its rim. Nest is made of grass, strips of bark, rootlets, lined with fine grasses and plant fibers. Outside of nest may be decorated with moss, lichens, pieces of paper.