Question about appearance of warbler

[Julie Brown]

I am curious about the dark triangular structures near the bill of this Cape May? Warbler. What are they, and do they have a function?

[Paul Guris]

My guess is that they are either bits of plant or parasites. They aren't parts of the bird unless the bird has some seriously abnormal growths.

[Julie Brown]

Well, they do not look like ticks, do they? Maybe those sticky burr-like seeds you can get on your socks when you walk through the weeds?

[Paul Guris]

Maybe those sticky burr-like seeds you can get on your socks when you walk through the weeds?

Sounds like you've got about the same depth of botanical knowledge as me! ;-)