Cape May Warbler
Setophaga tigrina
Unlike most warblers, the Cape May Warbler has a unique semi-tubular tongue that allows it to sip nectar from flowers.
- Scientific name
- Setophaga tigrina
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Parulidae › Setophaga
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Boreal coniferous forests for breeding; tropical forests, plantations, and gardens during winter migration.
- Diet
- Primarily insects like spruce budworms and spiders; uniquely consumes nectar and fruit during winter.
- Range
- Canada, Northern United States, Caribbean Islands, Central America
- Size
- 12-14 cm in length; 10-15 grams in weight
- Lifespan
- 4-6 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss in wintering grounds, window collisions during migration, and pesticide use reducing food sources.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds are best observed through binoculars as they flit through the high canopy. If you find one stunned from a window collision, gently place it in a dark, ventilated box for an hour to recover before attempting release. Do not handle with bare hands to protect their delicate feathers.
The Cape May warbler ( Setophaga tigrina ) is a species of New World warbler. It breeds in northern North America. Its breeding range spans all but the westernmost parts of southern Canada, 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, with two records in Britain as of October 2013. The English name refers to Cape May, New Jersey, where George...
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