Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
PARULIDAE Members: Bay-breasted Warbler 466
General Comments
The Bay-breasted Warbler has a similar breeding range to that of the Cape May Warbler and the Tennessee Warbler, and these (along with the Blackburnian and Blackpoll warblers) are called "spruce budworm" species, as their populations rise and fall following outbreaks of their favored food -- caterpillars of the spruce budworm. Bay-breasted Warblers winter in the tropics, and migrate mainly through the mountains and Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain in fall. While in North Carolina, migrants are often in mixed flocks with other birds in the hardwood canopy of forests and woodlands; they do occur in conifers to a lesser extent. Male Bay-breasteds have an unusual color combination, but sadly this is molted prior to them reaching the state in fall. At that season, the species can be confused with both Blackpoll and Pine warblers. Unlike most other warbler species, there are no known state winter records.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SZ
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Transient. In spring, very rare along the western edge, and very rare to rare near and along the coast; casual over most of the province. In fall, uncommon over most of the region, even along the coast. Primarily mid- and late May, and mid-Sep to mid-Oct. Peak counts:
Piedmont
Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the western half, and rare in the eastern half of the region. In fall, generally uncommon, though can be fairly common in the western portion after cold fronts. Seldom common in fall. A possibly overwintering bird was first seen and photographed at a feeder in Wake Forest (Wake) on 11 Mar and again on 24 Mar 2024; these dates seem far too early for a spring migrant, though we have no idea where it had spent the winter! Mainly early and mid-May, and early Sep to late Oct. Peak counts:
Mountain
Transient. In spring, rare to uncommon in the lower elevations, and rare at middle elevations. In fall, fairly common to often common (a day or two after a cold front); sizable numbers can be seen along the Blue Ridge Parkway in fall. Mainly early to late May, and late Aug to mid-Oct. Peak counts: 275, Balsam Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway (Buncombe), 24 Sep 2023.
Finding Tips
You should be able to see the species in fall in late Sep or early Oct along the Blue Ridge Parkway and other mountain sites, at least after a cold front.