Cape May Warbler

Cape May Warbler is a small perching bird but a medium-sized New World Warbler. Its breeds in Canada from Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories, and in the United States in northern New England and the Upper Midwest. It winters in the West Indies. In Minnesota it breeds in Arrowhead region. It is an uncommon migrant in most of the state in May and from early August through October. It is rare in the west.

Cape May Warbler adult is 4¾″ to 5″ in length and has a wingspan of 7½″to 8¾″. On the breeding male, the upper parts are dark olive green, the chin, sides of the neck (“collar”), and rump are yellow. The crown is dark and the face is yellow. There is a large chestnut-brown ear patch and a dark eye line. The bill is thin, dark, and slightly curved downward. The breast and flanks are yellow with dark stripes that converge on the throat. The undertail coverts are white. On each wing there is a distinct white patch formed by the greater coverts. The tail is short.

The female is paler overall and has two thin white wing patches. The crown is olive-gray and there is a grayish cheek patch.

4¾″ to 5″ in length

7½″to 8¾″ wingspan

Breeding: Mature coniferous and mixed forests

Migration: Forests, woodlands, and thickets

May and early August through October

The nest is built in a mature forest near the top of a tall spruce or balsam fir tree usually near the trunk.

Insects, especially spruce budworm; flower nectar; and fruit juices

Uncommon migrant, sporadic breeder

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

In 2011 all of the wood warblers were reclassified resulting in new genus names for almost all of them. The genus Dendroica, with 29 members, was merged with the genus Setophaga, with just 3 members. All of the former Dendroica species have been renamed to Setophaga.

Cape May Warbler, formerly Dendroica tigrina, is now Setophaga tigrina.

Cape May Warbler

First time ever for me. I grew up on the NE side of the state and I don't ever recall spotting this warbler. Today, it was hanging out on a hummingbird feed. It kept getting chased off by Orioles.

Cape May Warbler
JMC Nature Photos

Setophaga tigrina CAPE MAY WARBLER feeding
Rob Curtis

Cape May Warbler (Setophaga/Dendroica tigrina)
Carl Barrentine

Bill Reynolds
5/16/2024

Location: Pennington Co. MN, Numedal Twp

First time ever for me. I grew up on the NE side of the state and I don't ever recall spotting this warbler. Today, it was hanging out on a hummingbird feed. It kept getting chased off by Orioles.

Ramona Abrego

Location: Washington County