# Cape May Warbler (*Setophaga tigrina*) The Cape May Warbler is a small, colorful bird that loves to sing! It has bright yellow and green feathers and can be found flitting around trees in search of tasty insects. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Cape May Warbler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cape_May_Warbler_RWD3.jpg&width=800) Photo: DickDaniels ( http://theworldbirds.org/ ), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cape_May_Warbler_RWD3.jpg) ## Appearance The Cape May Warbler male has a distinctive chestnut cheek patch, a vibrant yellow throat and breast with heavy black streaks, and bright olive-green upperparts. Two white wing bars contrast with dark wings, making it easily identifiable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Parulidae - **Genus:** Setophaga ## Interesting facts - During their incredible migration, these small birds can fly for hours across vast stretches of open ocean! - One of the few warblers that regularly sips nectar, behaving almost like a tiny hummingbird! - The Cape May Warbler is sometimes called 'Spruce Budworm Warbler' because they love to eat this specific insect. - They get their scientific name, \*tigrina\*, because their bold, streaky chest resembles a tiger's stripes! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Guzzler:** Cape May Warbler has a special tubular tongue that helps them sip nectar from flowers like a tiny straw. - **Upside-Down Forager:** Cape May Warbler can hang upside down on branches to find hidden insects because of its agile feet. - **Migration Master:** Cape May Warbler can fly thousands of kilometers between its breeding and wintering grounds, showing incredible endurance. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 11-13 cm - **Wingspan:** 19-22 cm - **Weight:** 0.008-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-8 years - **Speed:** 40 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-9 - **Incubation:** 10-13 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Primarily eats insects like caterpillars and spiders, but also sips sweet flower nectar and enjoys berries. - **Primary Foods:** Spruce budworms, Caterpillars, Spiders, Flower nectar, Berries, Aphids - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Brown-headed Cowbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-headed-cowbird) (*Molothrus ater*) — lays eggs in their nests - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — hunts adult warblers - **Depends on:** [White Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-spruce) (*Picea glauca*) — nests and forages among needles - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — preys on small birds ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cape May Warbler? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cape May Warbler? 11-13 cm ### What is Cape May Warbler's wingspan? 19-22 cm ### How much does Cape May Warbler weigh? 0.008-0.015 kg ### How long does Cape May Warbler live? 3-8 years ### How fast can Cape May Warbler move? 40 km/h ### What does Cape May Warbler eat? Primarily eats insects like caterpillars and spiders, but also sips sweet flower nectar and enjoys berries. ### Where is Cape May Warbler usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Devil's Kitchen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/devils-kitchen) — Michigan, US · Nature Reserve - [Nichols Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nichols-arboretum) — Michigan, US · Botanical Garden - [Magee Marsh Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/magee-marsh-wildlife-area) — Ohio, US · Nature Reserve - [Offshore Reefs Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/offshore-reefs-archeological-district) — US · Historic District - [Tobin Harbor Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tobin-harbor-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Cape May Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cape-may-warbler) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Cape May Warbler: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cape-may-warbler)