Cape May warbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape May warbler |
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Dendroica tigrina |
The Cape May warbler (Setophaga tigrina) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to a group called New World warblers. These birds live in North America. They breed in most of southern Canada, the Great Lakes area, and New England.
Cape May warblers are migratory birds. This means they fly south for winter. They spend their winters in the Caribbean. Sometimes, they are seen far from home, like in western Europe. This is very rare!
The bird's English name comes from Cape May, New Jersey. This is where the first one was found. It was found by George Ord.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The scientific name of the Cape May warbler is Setophaga tigrina. Its genus name, Setophaga, comes from Ancient Greek words. Ses means "moth" and phagos means "eating". So, it means "moth-eating".
The second part, tigrina, is Latin. It means "tiger-striped". This refers to the bird's striped look.
What Does a Cape May Warbler Look Like?
This bird is a small passerine, or perching bird. It is a medium-sized New World warbler. These birds are about 12 to 14 centimeters (5 to 5.5 inches) long. Their wingspan is about 19 to 22 centimeters (7.5 to 8.5 inches). They weigh between 9 and 17.3 grams (0.3 to 0.6 ounces).
The summer male Cape May warbler is very striking. It has a brown back and a yellowish rump. Its head has a dark brown crown. The underside of its body is yellow with black stripes. This is why it's called "tiger-striped"!
The male also has a bright yellow throat and neck. Its face is a bold chestnut color. There is a black stripe near its eye. It also has a thin white bar on its wing.
Other Cape May warblers, like females and young birds, look similar. But their colors are not as bright. They still have a yellowish rump. You can also usually see hints of the white wing bar.
Life and Habits of the Cape May Warbler
What Do They Eat?
Cape May warblers are insectivores. This means they mainly eat insects. They often pick insects from the tips of pine or spruce branches. They also fly out to catch insects in the air.
In winter, their diet changes. They also eat berry juice and nectar. This bird has a special tubular tongue. It helps them drink nectar, which is unique for a warbler!
Where Do They Live and Nest?
These birds breed in coniferous woodlands. These are forests with trees like pines and spruces. They like to nest near the edges of these forests.
Cape May warblers build their nests in thick leaves. They usually choose a spot close to the tree trunk. They often pick a Black spruce tree. Females lay between 4 and 9 eggs in a cup-shaped nest. They can lay more eggs when there are lots of spruce budworms. This is a type of insect they love to eat!
Their Song and Calls
The song of the Cape May warbler is simple. It's a high-pitched "tsi" sound repeated over and over. Their call is a thin "sip" sound. You can usually hear them singing from high up in the trees.
Images for kids
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South Padre Island - Texas
See also
In Spanish: Reinita atigrada para niños
