Cape May Warbler

The Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina , is a small New World warbler. It breeds in northern North America across all but the westernmost parts of southern Canada, and into the Great Lakes region and New England. It is migratory, wintering in the West Indies. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

The summer male Cape May Warbler has a brown back, yellowish rump and dark brown crown. The underparts are yellow, streaked black, giving rise to the bird's scientific name. The throat and nape are bright yellow and the face is chestnut with a black eyestripe. There is a narrow white wing bar.

Other plumages are washed-out versions of the summer male, and in particular lack the strong head pattern. The yellowish rump and at least indications of the white wing bar are always present.

The breeding habitat is the edges of coniferous woodland, especially Black Spruce. Cape May Warblers nest in a tree, laying 4-9 eggs in a cup nest.

These birds are insectivorous, and lay larger clutches in years when Spruce Budworm is abundant. They also feed on berry juice and nectar in winter, and have, uniquely for a warbler, a tubular tongue to facilitate this.

The song is a simple repetition of high tsi notes. The call is a thin sip.

Reference

New World Warblers by Curson, Quinn and Beadle, ISBN 0-7136-3932-6