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Cape May Warbler

Dendroica tigrina ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Cape May Warbler Photo

© Kevin T. Karlson

The Cape May Warbler breeds across the boreal forest of Canada and the northern United States, where the fortunes of its populations are largely tied to the availability of spruce budworms, its preferred food. Striking in appearance but poorly understood, the species spends its winters in the West Indies, collecting nectar with its unique curled, semitubular tongue.

Birds of North America Online
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

At a GlanceHelp

Measurements
Both Sexes
Length
4.7–5.1 in
12–13 cm
Wingspan
7.5–8.7 in
19–22 cm
Weight
0.3–0.4 oz
9–12 g
Other Names
  • Paruline tigrée (French)
  • Renita tigre (Spanish)

Cool Facts

  • The tongue of the Cape May Warbler is unique among warblers. It is curled and semitubular, and is used to collect nectar during winter.
  • The common name of the species comes from Cape May, New Jersey, where Alexander Wilson first described it. After that first time, Cape May Warblers were not recorded in Cape May for more than 100 years.
  • The average clutch size of the Cape May Warbler (six) is greater than that of other warblers. This large clutch size may allow Cape May Warbler populations to expand rapidly during outbreaks of their preferred prey, spruce budworms.
  • The nest of the Cape May Warbler was not accurately described until the early 20th century.

Habitat


Forest

Breeds in coniferous forest. Winters in various habitats, including settled areas.

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Food


Insects

Insects, especially spruce budworms, during the breeding season; nectar and insects in winter.

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Nesting

Nesting Facts
Clutch Size
4–9 eggs
Egg Description
White with reddish-brown blotches.
Nest Description

A bulky cup of sphagnum moss, twigs, pine needles, and bark, lined with hair and feathers. Placed near top of spruce tree.

Nest Placement

Tree
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Behavior


Foliage Gleaner

Usually picks insects from vegetation while perched, but also hawks insects. Curled tongue aids in collection of nectar.

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Conservation

status via IUCN

Least Concern

Use of certain combinations of insecticides to control spruce budworms causes steep declines in Cape May Warbler numbers. Other pesticides may have no effect. Logging, especially in the western portion of the species' range, may eventually pose risks to the Cape May Warbler because of reduced availability of the mature forests needed to support spruce budworms.

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Credits

  • Baltz, M. E., and S. C. Latta. 1998. Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina). In The Birds of North America, No. 332 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
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Range Map Help

Cape May Warbler Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings
Project FeederWatch