PHOTO LIBRARY

Blackpoll Warbler / Paruline rayée (Dendroica striata)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

common   fairly common   uncommon   rare   occasional   no records

 

QUICK TIPS: 1) In spring, examine the crown - it is solid black on ASY males, black with light mottling on SY males, olive-gray with distinct black streaks on ASY females, and olive-gray with indistinct dark streaks on SY females 2) In fall, consider the underparts - AHY males have distinct black streaks on a white background, sometimes with a yellow tinge; AHY females have moderately distinct dark streaks on a largely yellowish background; HY birds have indistinct streaking on a variably yellowish-white background 3) Look at the primary coverts - they are relatively narrow and pointed on HY/SY birds and distinctly paler than the greater coverts by spring, but relatively broad and rounded on AHY/ASY birds, and only moderately paler than the greater coverts 4) Examine the outer rectrices - they are brownish-gray and relatively narrow and pointed on HY/SY birds, and gray with a broader and more rounded tip on AHY/ASY birds Note that both wing and tail criteria for Blackpoll Warbler are often subtle and there is considerable variation, therefore many individuals cannot be reliably aged and sexed in both spring and fall. Species account updated May 2009

January - July:

ASY - M Black cap; blackish primary coverts not contrasting significantly with greater coverts; dark, broad and rounded rectrices ASY - F Crown olive with distinct black streaks; dark gray primary coverts not contrasting with greater coverts; broad and rounded rectrices SY - M Black cap; dark primary coverts paler than the greater coverts; narrow and tapered rectrices SY - F Crown olive with indistinct black streaks; brownish primary coverts paler than the greater coverts; narrow and tapered rectrices

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July - December:

AHY - M Belly whitish; primary coverts blackish; rectrices broad and rounded; often some black flecks on the throat AHY - F Belly yellowish; primary coverts blackish; rectrices broad and rounded HY - M Belly yellowish-white; primary coverts grayish and paler than greater coverts; rectrices often somewhat narrow and tapered; slightly darker than females but usually difficult to distinguish HY - F Belly yellowish; primary coverts grayish and paler than greater coverts; rectrices often somewhat narrow and tapered; slightly paler than males but usually difficult to distinguish

Second-year males have a blackish crown and whitish cheeks, but one or both are often slightly mottled in appearance.  The third example below is a relatively rare case with yellowish plumage on the upper breast and throat.

Photo by Barbara Frei, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2007

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2005

Photo by Barbara Frei, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2008

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On second-year Blackpoll Warblers, it is often possible to identify three generations of feathers on the wing, with a distinct moult limit between the juvenile primary coverts and formative outer greater coverts, as well as among the greater coverts, where the inner feathers have typically been replaced during the prealternate moult. 

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2008

 Photo by Barbara Frei, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2007

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Second-year Blackpoll Warblers may have relatively narrow and tapered rectrices as in the first photo below, which are a good clue to age, but many have somewhat intermediately shaped rectrices as in the second photo, in which case ageing should be based on the wing and crown.

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2007

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2008

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Second-year females are often recognizable by their olive-gray crowns with minimal dark streaking, but the wing and tail should be checked to help confirm age.

Photo by Marie-Anne Hudson, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2007

Photo by Barbara Frei, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), May 2007
 

After-hatch-year males may retain some black in the throat or crown, which other age/sex classes lack, but in the absence of this may be more difficult to identify.  They also tend to have more whitish underparts, but the wing and tail should also be considered whenever possible.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), September 2005
 

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In all age/sex classes, the primary coverts appear at least slightly paler than the greater coverts, but for after-hatch-year males the entire wing is dark, with relatively subtle internal variation in colour.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), September 2005
 

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The rectrices on after-hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers are quite broad and rounded at the tip.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), September 2005

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Hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers may appear similar to after-hatch-year females, and examination of the wing and tail is often required to determine age with confidence.  In most cases, sex of hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers cannot be determined, but there are some extremes of plumage and size (as measured by wing chord) that can probably be identified reliably.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2005
 

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There is a distinct moult limit between the primary coverts and greater coverts, indicating this to be a hatch-year bird.  However, the wing is overall very dark, and in combination with a large wing chord (>76 mm) this was determined to be a male.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2005
 

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Hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers tend to have somewhat narrower and more pointed rectrices than after-hatch-year birds, but the distinction may be subtle. While the extent of white on the outer rectrices shows less distinct variation among age/sex classes than in other Dendroica warblers, the amount in the photo is particularly extensive, supporting the classification of this individual as a male.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2005

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Hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers may appear similar to after-hatch-year females, and examination of the wing and tail is often required to determine age with confidence.  In most cases, sex of hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers cannot be determined, but there are some extremes of plumage and size (as measured by wing chord) that can probably be identified reliably.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), September 2005
 

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The distinct moult limits (between primary coverts and greater coverts) on the wings below identifies these individuals as hatch-year Blackpoll Warblers, while the overall brown (vs. grayish-black) tone of the wing suggests they are females.  

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2008

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2008

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Rectrix shape can be quite variable for Blackpoll Warbler.  Individuals with rectrices as narrow and pointed as the first example below are very likely to be hatch-year birds, while in the case of the second example, clues from the wing should override what is suggested by the tail.

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), August 2008

Photo by Marcel Gahbauer, McGill Bird Observatory (QC), September 2005

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