Cape May warbler (Dendroica tigrina)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 4.25 inches

• small, active, insect-eating bird

• Thin, pointed bill

• Yellow rump

• Black legs

Adult male alternate:

• Chestnut cheek patch

• Yellow on throat extends across side of face and onto nape

• Yellow supercilium

• Yellow underparts with crisp, heavy black streaking

• Belly and undertail coverts whiter than breast

• Olive crown and back with black streaks

• White patch on wings

Basic, female and immature:

• Lacks cheek patch of alternate male

• Dull yellow on throat extends across side of face and onto nape

• Yellow supercilium

• Dull yellow to whitish-yellow underparts with fine black streaking

• Belly and undertail coverts paler than breast

• Olive to grayish crown and back with some black streaking

• White wing bars

Similar species:

The breeding-plumaged male Cape May warbler is very distinctive with
its heavily streaked yellow underparts and bold face pattern. Females,
and fall-plumaged birds are more difficult to identify. Some immatures
can become rather grayish in fall with very dull markings. The extensive
fine black streaking on the underparts and the yellow neck patch are
diagnostic. The yellow-rumped warbler is similar but has more blurry
streaking on the breast that is not so extensive as the Cape May. It also
has a brighter yellow rump and a thicker bill. Palm warblers are
somewhat similar but consistently wag their tails and have yellow
undertail coverts.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Mid-story/canopy nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-9
Length of Incubation: ? days
Days to Fledge: ?
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Primarily insects; lesser quantities of nectar and fruit

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May R
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November R

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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