Wood-Warblers

Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina

Family Parulidae (Wood-Warblers)

Size: 5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Spruce forests

Breeding across most of Canada and the far northeastern United States, the Cape May warbler is a handsome warbler with a relatively short tail and a thin, blackish bill that has a slight downward curve. Breeding males are olive green above and on the wings, with a broad, white wing patch and white spots on the outer tail feathers. The underparts and head are yellow, with heavy dark streaking on the throat and sides, a dark-gray crown, and reddish-orange auriculars. Females lack the red on the face and are paler overall with a less obvious wing patch. Cape May warblers prefer the upper canopy of spruce or pines, where they feed on insects, especially the spruce budworm. Their voice is a very high-pitched series of clear see, see, see notes, or a single seet. The breeding male (bottom) and female (top) are illustrated.