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Blackpoll Warbler

Blackpoll Warbler
Scientific Classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family:Parulidae
Genus:Dendroica
Species:striata
Binomial name
Dendroica striata

The Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata , is a New World warbler. It breeds in northern North America across Alaska, most of Canada, and into the Great Lakes region and New England.

It is migratory, wintering in South America. This is a rare vagrant to western Europe, although its northerly range and long-distance migration make it one of the more frequent transatlantic passerine wanderers.

The summer male Blackpoll Warbler has a dark-streaked brown back, white face and black crown. The underparts are white, streaked black, and there are two white wing bars. The adult female is a washed-out version of the summer male, and in particular lack the strong head pattern, the crown and face being shades of gray.

Non-breeding birds have a greenish head, dark-streaked greenish upperparts and a yellowish breast, with the colour extending to the belly in young birds. The wing bars are always present.

The breeding habitat is is coniferous woodland, especially spruce, and the range extends to the taiga. Blackpoll Warblers nest in a tree, laying 4-9 eggs in a cup nest.

These birds are insectivorous, but will take some berries in winter.

The song is a simple repetition of high tsi notes. The call is a thin sit.

Reference

New World Warblers by Curson, Quinn and Beadle, ISBN 0-7136-3932-6