Cape May Warbler
Among the dazzling cohort of spring warblers, the first Cape May Warbler to arrive is a balm: its mossy green back, tiger-striped breast, and chestnut cheek patch make it unlike any other warbler. During breeding season, the species lives remotely from most human observers, in northern spruce-fir forests, where its nesting success is tied to its chief food - the spruce budworm caterpillar. These unusual warblers have specially shaped tongues that allow them to sip nectar from tropical flowers in winter - and sometimes from hummingbird feeders.
They are a delicate, short-tailed warblers with a slender and distinctively decurved bill, unusual among warblers.
Adult males are rich yellowish olive above, with rufous cheeks (auriculars) framed in yellow and dense rufous 'tiger stripes" on the breast (present in all plumages, giving the species its scientific name, Tigrina). The underparts are yellow, and the wing has a large white patch. Females and immatures are duller, lacking vivid yellow but with a yellowish green rump.
Cape May Warblers hunt insects among branches, sip nectar from flowers, or eat fruit. They take most food by probing and picking but also catch insects in midair or hover to pluck items from leaves and branches.
--- allaboutbirds.org
Cape May Warbler
Among the dazzling cohort of spring warblers, the first Cape May Warbler to arrive is a balm: its mossy green back, tiger-striped breast, and chestnut cheek patch make it unlike any other warbler. During breeding season, the species lives remotely from most human observers, in northern spruce-fir forests, where its nesting success is tied to its chief food - the spruce budworm caterpillar. These unusual warblers have specially shaped tongues that allow them to sip nectar from tropical flowers in winter - and sometimes from hummingbird feeders.
They are a delicate, short-tailed warblers with a slender and distinctively decurved bill, unusual among warblers.
Adult males are rich yellowish olive above, with rufous cheeks (auriculars) framed in yellow and dense rufous 'tiger stripes" on the breast (present in all plumages, giving the species its scientific name, Tigrina). The underparts are yellow, and the wing has a large white patch. Females and immatures are duller, lacking vivid yellow but with a yellowish green rump.
Cape May Warblers hunt insects among branches, sip nectar from flowers, or eat fruit. They take most food by probing and picking but also catch insects in midair or hover to pluck items from leaves and branches.
--- allaboutbirds.org