The Blackpoll a Migration Specialist

The blackpoll is a new world wood warbler. They nest up on their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. When winter approaches they head south, like most warblers, where there are more bugs to eat. Unlike most other warblers though, the black poll does not head down through Mexico and Central America. Instead they fly from the southeastern United States across the Atlantic Ocean down into northern South America. During migration they may stop to feed on islands in the Caribbean but the average flight will pass over 1800 miles of water. This may necessitate a possible nonstop flight of almost 90 hours. In order to have the energy to make the long grueling flight blackpolls will bulk up to almost twice their size before they begin migration.