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Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata)

Photo credit: mun.ca

Length: 5.5 in.
Habitat: Breeds in low northern spruce forest and in alder thickets north of the Rctic Circle and north of tree-line. During migration is found chiefly in tall trees in forests, parks and gardens. In winter in the tropics, found in wooded areas, often in canopy of trees.
Range: Alaska and northern Canada to southern Canada and northwestern United States. Migrates through the West Indies and winters in northern South America.

The Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) is one of the most abundant warblers in the East and has an enormous breeding range in the northern part of the continent. During migration in late May, and again in September and early October, hundreds may be seen in a single day.

Its diet consists mostly of insects and berries. During the breeding season eats aphids, scale insects, caterpillars, beetles, gnats, mosquitoes, cankerworms, sawflies, wasps, ants, termites and other insects. Also eats spiders and their eggs, pokerberries, and a few seeds.

A few males have more than one mate per nesting season. Females return to nest to the nest site of previous year and mate with male holding that territory. The nest is abulky open cup built by female. Male feeds female on nest during incubation. Nestlings are fed by both parents.

Conservation Status Abundant, but may be decreasing in southern parts of breeding distribution. Vulnerable to loss of habitat, especially on winter range.