BARNSTABLE – Many birders and casual observers alike anticipate the spring bird migration, where millions of individuals of hundreds of species return to the northern United States and Canada.
Cape Cod is a haven for many of these birds, with its many different habitats of pitch pines, shorelines and salt marshes.
One particular favorite for many bird enthusiasts is the family of birds known as warblers. This diverse category is defined by a small, graceful stature and colorful plumage.
They’re also a sign of spring, with males producing loud, musical calls in their attempts to attract a mate.
According to the bird-tracking website ebird.com, users have already spotted a common warbler in well over a dozen sites on Cape Cod: the yellow-rumped warbler.
This mostly gray and white bird has patches of yellow around its body, and sometimes stay on the Cape for the winter. They’re the only species of warbler able to digest the waxes on bay berries and wax myrtles, making it easier for them to stay up north for longer periods of time.
The yellow warbler will soon be arriving on Cape Cod; they’re usually spotted in Falmouth by early May. This incredibly vibrant bird features a yellow-gold body with brown streaks under the head.
Warblers are especially popular for their songs, which many associate with the arrival of spring and impending transformation into the warm season.
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