Bay-breasted Warbler Identification

Breeding male

A long-winged warbler with thick, white wingbars. This breeding male shows a dark-streaked back, butter yellow neck patch, black mask, and a rich dark bay color on the crown, throat, and flanks. Generally found in trees, preferring conifers during the breeding season, but may be found on the ground during migration.

Breeding female

This long-winged, short-tailed warbler shows bold white wingbars and a dark-streaked back. Females are more subtly patterned than males. Note the color of the lower flank and undertail coverts: buff instead of white. This particularly drab individual has just a hint of bay color below the cheek.

Breeding male

Breeding female

The stout bill, prominent pale neck patches, and bold white wingbars are useful for ID in all plumages. Breeding females show a variable amount of bay or chestnut on the crown, face, upper chest, and flank.

Nonbreeding female/immature

Fall migrant females and immatures often show only faint bay or chestnut coloration, so instead focus on the bright yellow-green head and back, plain face lacking a strongly contrasting eyeline, bold white wingbars, and buff-olive (not white) undertail coverts. Additionally, the legs and feet are nondescript and dark, lacking strongly contrasting yellow soles to the feet.

Breeding male

Nonbreeding male

The stout, dark bill variably marked pale and the bold contrast created by the thick white wingbars against the dark gray wing are useful keys to identifying this messy-looking, nonbreeding male. The pale yellowish neck patch and bold swath of bay on the flank help to lock down the species ID.

Nonbreeding female/immature

In late summer and fall, females and immatures are best identified by the low contrast yellow-green head, bold white wingbars, and plain, buff flanks and undertail coverts. Many also show a large amount of pale pink in the otherwise dark bill.

Breeding male

Nonbreeding female/immature

Nonbreeding individuals can be hard to identify. When viewed from below, look for plain, unstreaked yellow-green plumage with buff-olive tones on the flanks and undertail coverts. Also, the largely pale bill and low contrast face pattern with just a slight dark eyeline are subtly distinctive.

Breeding male

The combination of a yellowish neck patch, black mask, and dark chestnut crown, throat, and flanks make the breeding male nearly unmistakable.

Breeding female

Breeding male

Breeds in boreal spruce and fir forests. Though the black mask, yellowish neck patch, and chestnut throat and flanks create a very distinctive look for this breeding male, also note the buff tones of the undertail coverts and black-and-white tail pattern - these features are useful for ID in all plumages.