"Bird of the Month" Profiles:

Blackpoll Warbler
(Dendroica striata )

Length: 6 inches
Wingspan: 9 inches
Weight: 13 grams
Diet: Insects, fruit

It appears that most Blackpoll Warblers from both eastern and western breeding populations leave North America in fall along the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to North Carolina. They depart after cold fronts during periods of northwest winds in October, which help push them southeast over the ocean to the tropics south of Bermuda, where northeast trade winds deflect them south to South America. This entails a nonstop flight of up to 3,500 km (2,175 miles) and 88 hours.

Studies have shown that this species has an exceptional ability to accumulate and retain fat, apparently an adaptation for such sustained flights. Some birds, probably mostly immatures, follow the coast south through Florida and then cross the Caribbean. The total trip may exceed 8,000 km (4971 miles) from breeding grounds in Alaska to wintering grounds in Brazil. Spring migration follows a more westerly route. Birds depart South America during the first few weeks of April, cross the western Caribbean, and continue north through the eastern U.S., reaching the breeding grounds in May. It is unknown whether or not most northbound birds travel nonstop over the Caribbean.

(Birding content courtesy of Boreal Songbird Initiative & eNature)

Range and Migration Map

Arrows represent general migration routes. The arrows do not necessarily link specific breeding and wintering grounds.

The following shade-grown varieties of COFFEE FOR THE BIRDS™ help to preserve winter habitat for this species:

• Peru