About the Cape May Warbler
The Cape May warbler 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 Ord collected the specimen that was later described by Alexander Wilson.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
This bird is a small passerine and is a mid-sized New World warbler. Length can vary from 12–14 cm (4.7–5.5 in), wingspan is 19–22 cm (7.5–8.7 in), and body mass can range from 9–17.3 g (0.32–0.61 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 6.1–7.3 cm (2.4–2.9 in), the tail is 4.3–5 cm (1.7–2.0 in), the bill is 0.9–1.2 cm (0.35–0.47 in) and the tarsus is 1.7–1.9 cm (0.67–0.75 in). The adult male Cape May warbler has a brown back, yellowish rump and dark brown crown. The underparts are yellow streaked with black, giving rise to the bird's scientific name.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Cape May Warbler sounds like
Where the Cape May Warbler lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Barthélemy, St. Vincent & Grenadines.
When to see the Cape May Warbler
Peak activity in May · a passage migrant species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Bay-breasted WarblerSetophaga castaneaAdult males in breeding plumage are primarily greyish above, with two white wing bars, dark streaks on the back, and a creamy neck patch.
Prairie WarblerSetophaga discolorThese birds have yellow underparts with dark streaks on the flanks.
Hooded WarblerSetophaga citrinaThe hooded warbler is a small bird and mid-sized warbler, measuring 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and weighing 9–12 g (0.32–0.42 oz).
Side by side: Cape May Warbler vs Prairie Warbler · Cape May Warbler vs Hooded Warbler · Bay-breasted Warbler vs Cape May Warbler · Black-throated Grey Warbler vs Cape May Warbler
Learn the Cape May Warbler in BeakBrain
Photo and call practice, free in any browser.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.