Cerulean Warbler Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesCerulean Warbler
Male
Small, sky-blue warbler with a horizontal posture. Males have 2 white wingbars and dark streaking on the back. Note blue streaking on the sides.
© Pam Linge / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 13, 2020Female
Females are bluish green above with a slight yellow wash below. They have a whitish eyebrow, and 2 white wingbars.
© J B / Macaulay LibraryOntario, May 13, 2019Male
Song is a buzzy series of notes that rise in pitch and end in a louder buzzy trill. Males typically sing from perches high in the canopy.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 29, 2011Not all videos have sound
Male
Males are blue above and white below with blue streaks on the flanks and a thin blue neck band.
© Brad Imhoff / Macaulay LibraryOhio, May 01, 2020Male
From below, males are mostly white save for a thin blue band around the neck and blue streaking on the flanks. Breeds in the canopy of mature deciduous forests.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 29, 2011Female
Hops along branches plucking insects from foliage.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 05, 2011Not all videos have sound
Female
Females have an unstreaked yellow-washed belly and a pale eyebrow. Typical females are greenish blue above, but some are considerably paler above.
© Pam Linge / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, May 13, 2020Female
Females have an unstreaked belly and lack the neck band.
© Gene Koziara / Macaulay LibraryGeorgia, August 18, 2017Male
Males sing while foraging within the canopy. From below, note the clean white underparts and blue streaking on the sides of males.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 05, 2011Not all videos have sound
Male
A canopy dwelling warbler that sings, forages, and breeds in the canopy of older deciduous forests.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, May 05, 2011Not all videos have sound
Similar SpeciesBlackburnian Warbler
Female/immature
Female/immature Blackburnian Warblers have a streaked back while female/immature Cerulean Warblers have a clean back. Also note triangular ear patch not seen on Cerulean Warblers.
© Luke Seitz / Macaulay LibraryMaine, November 25, 2015Similar SpeciesBlackpoll Warbler
Nonbreeding female/immature
Nonbreeding Blackpoll Warblers have a streaked back and orangish legs and lack the strong eyebrow of Cerulean Warblers.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, October 28, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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