National Geographic Magazine/Volume 31/Number 4/Friends of Our Forests/Bay-breasted Warbler

Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea)


Range: Breeds in Canadian Zone from northeastern Alberta, southern Keewatin, southern Ungava, and Newfoundland south to southern Manitoba, northern Maine, and mountains of New Hampshire; winters in Panama and Colombia.

The bay-breast appears to be increasing in numbers. Forty years or so ago it was rare in Massachusetts in fall, and search by the most vigilant collector during the entire autumn migration was rarely rewarded by the sight of more than one or two. Today it is far different, and not a season passes that at the proper time and place careful search will not reveal a dozen or more mingled with others of the warbler family. In spring the bird has always been uncommon or altogether wanting in the Eastern States, as it migrates up the Mississippi Valley, spreading out to occupy northern Maine and other of its northern summer haunts. In summer it frequents coniferous forests, and often nests in hemlocks.

Source: Henry W. Henshaw (April 1917), “Friends of Our Forests”, The National Geographic Magazine 31(4): 318. (Illustration from p. 316.)