Betula nigra catkins long, the male catkins pendulous, the female catkins erect. The fruit is unusual among birches in maturing in late spring; it is composed of numerous tiny winged seeds packed between the catkin bracts. "Betula nigra" is a tree that falls into the family of Betulaceae, which is commonly known as the Birch or Alder Family. This family comprises six genera ("Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Corylus, Ostrya," and "Ostryopsis)" and includes alders, birches, hornbeams, and hazelnuts. Species within this family, along with "Betula nigra", are shrubs or trees that grow along stream sides or in poorly drained soils throughout the Northern
Blue-winged warbler Blue-winged warbler The blue-winged warbler ("Vermivora cyanoptera") is a fairly common New World warbler, long and weighing . It breeds in eastern North America in southern Ontario and the eastern United States. Its range is extending northwards, where it is replacing the very closely related golden-winged warbler, "Vermivora chrysoptera". The common name "blue-winged warbler" refers to the bluish-gray color of the wings that contrast with the bright yellow body of the male. The name of the genus "Vermivora" means "worm-eating". The genus used to include nine other new world warblers but now includes only the golden-winged warbler and Bachman's warbler