The Black-and-white Warbler is the only living member of this genus. Mniotilta means “moss-plucking”, which refers to the species’ bark foraging habits. Unlike other North American wood warblers, the Black-and-white Warbler has a unique foraging strategy, whereby it “creeps” along the trunk and branches of trees, much like a nuthatch. The Black-and-white Warbler has evolved proportionately longer toes for its body size than most other members of the wood warbler family, to facilitate it's foraging strategy.
