Cape May Warbler, Setophaga tigrina


Cape May Warbler
Cape May Warblers are major rarities in California, and this much viewed and photographed wintering adult male found near Palo Alto Baylands by Jeff Fairclough and Laurie Graham in January 2013 was the first of the species ever reported in Santa Clara County. The bright yellow base color to the underparts, and the white patch on the wings establishes it as a male; the thick black striping means it is an adult. Also note the faint hint of chestnut behind the eye, which would only be found on an adult male; compare the full chestnut patch on breeding plumage male at the bottom of the page.  The black around the bill is the result of eucalyptus gum and pollen. 


Cape May Warbler


Cape May Warbler
Above, the bird just as it takes flight.


Cape May Warbler
A distant and much obscured photo of an adult male Cape May in Santa
Cruz in the spring of 2012, partly showing the chestnut patch on the face,
a faint remnant of which can be seen on the wintering male in the picture
at the top of the page.