Blackpoll Warbler
Setophaga striata
Relatively large warbler of the boreal forest. Breeding males have solid black cap and white cheek; compare with Black-and-white Warbler. Breeding females are a washed out, streakier version of male. Immatures in fall are quite different: lemony-yellow head and breast with blurry streaking, white wingbars, and white undertail coverts. Distinctive orange feet help distinguish Blackpoll from similar immature Bay-breasted and Pine Warblers. Breeds in coniferous forest, especially stunted spruces at higher elevations. Found in any forested habitat during migration. Known for its exceptional fall migration over the Atlantic Ocean; can travel from East Coast of U.S. to South America in one nonstop flight!
Identification
The blackpoll warbler is a fairly small bird which attains the weight of a ballpoint pen.: 65 However, it is one of the larger of the diverse genus Setophaga (formerly Dendroica). In the species, body length can vary from 12.5 to 15 cm (4.9 to 5.9 in) and wingspan can range from 20 to 25 cm (7.9 to 9.8 in). Body mass can vary from 9.7 to 21 g (0.34 to 0.74 oz), with an average bird anywhere between 12 and 15 g (0.42 and 0.53 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 6.6 to 8 cm (2.6 to 3.1 in), the tail is 4.5 to 5.4 cm (1.8 to 2.1 in), the bill is 0.8 to 1.2 cm (0.31 to 0.47 in) and the tarsus is 1.8 to 2 cm (0.71 to 0.79 in). The summer male blackpoll warblers have dark-streaked brown backs, white faces, and black crowns. Their underparts are white with black streaks, and they display two white wing bars. The adult females essentially resemble washed-out versions of the summer males, and in particular, the females lack the strong head patterns, and their crowns and faces are shades of gray. Another outstanding physical characteristic of the species is the bright orangish-pink legs.<p>Non-breeding birds of this species have greenish heads, dark-streaked greenish upperparts, and yellowish breasts, with the yellow extending to the belly in young birds. Their wing bars are always present.
Taxonomy
Genus: Setophaga; Family: Parulidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Setophaga striata
- Authority
- (Forster, JR, 1772)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Parulidae
- Genus
- Setophaga
Range and habitat
In the southern portion of their breeding range, blackpoll warblers can be found on the higher elevations of mountains in woodland or brushy areas. They also spend their summers on the wooded coastal islands of Maine and the Maritime Provinces. Farther north, they have been reported throughout the boreal coniferous forest. Blackpolls breed nearer to the tundra than any other warbler.
- Breeding range
- NA : Alaska to e, se Canada and ne USA
- Non-breeding range
- n, c SA
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
African Citril
Crithagra citrinelloides
A small seedeater with a sharp bill and a forked tail. The upperparts are olive-green and the underparts yellow. Males have a black face and plain yellow underparts. Females have a plain face, but are heavily streaked below. Found at middle and high elevations in a variety of habitats including forest edge, gardens, cultivation, moist scrub, and woodland. Usually in small flocks. Similar to Southern Citril, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and the male is easily separated by its black face. The song is a fast jumble of high-pitched twitters and whistles.
Southern Hyliota
Hyliota australis
Mid-sized, generic-looking warbler-like bird. Males have a matte black back, a white wing patch, and very pale yellowish underparts. Females are similar, but browner on the back. Found mainly in broadleaf savanna, and locally in humid forest. Usually in pairs or small groups, which will join mixed-species feeding flocks. The quiet vocalizations include chatty calls and trills. Very similar to Yellow-bellied Hyliota. In most of the range, Southern males distinguished by the smaller white patch on the wing, and females by their browner upperparts. In Uganda and Kenya, males are extremely similar, but Southern can still be recognized by its non-glossy black back.
Brown-winged Parrotbill
Suthora brunnea
Gregarious long-tailed inhabitant of grassy and scrubby areas, as well as bamboo stands and secondary growth, in mountains and foothills. Very similar in appearance to Vinous-throated Parrotbill (range overlap minimal) but with a brighter orange head, stronger and more noticeable throat streaking, and no warm orange or reddish tones in the wings. Moves about noisily through dense vegetation, twittering and chattering constantly.
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