Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina), Private residence in Dove Valley (Surprise, AZ), Maricopa County

This Cape May Warbler was photographed by Chrissy Kondrat-Smith on 30 September 2020.

An adult male Cape May Warbler was discovered by Julie Price McCall Barnhill foraging on hummingbird and jelly feeders at her home on 28 September 2020. Known to be an accidental vagrant last seen in 29 May 2018 in Arizona. Photographs were provided by Julie Price McCall Barnhill. Additional photographs and audio were captured on 30 September 2020 by Chrissy Kondrat-Smith; eBird checklist found at https://ebird.org/checklist/S75271457.

Known to be an accidental vagrant last seen in 29 May 2018 in Arizona. This is the third record for Maricopa County (first in October of 1976 [along Sycamore Creek near Sunflower] and the second record in December of 1986 [in Fountain Hills]).

This likely adult male bird is identified by the presence of at least some chestnut color in the auricular (common from August to March), extended black streaking on the yellowish underparts, bright yellow face and white-wing patch. Additional notes: During the months August to March an adult male will present at least some chestnut color in the auricular and possibly even extensive. The outer median and greater coverts do not present distinctive white edging, but displays more white on the outer rectrices, which indicates a younger adult bird (second year).

30 September 2020, photo by Chrissy Kondrat-Smith