Tag: Setophaga coronata

(Myrtle) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

The Yellow-rumped Warble species is one of the most widespread and most commonly encountered but I have photographed a Yellow-rumped Warbler only once before; during the fall migration and my first visit to the The Beanery at Rea Farm.

There are two main populations: "Audubon's" found in the western U.S. and British Columbia mountains, and "Myrtle" found from the eastern U.S. to Alaska.

Both populations display bright yellow rumps and sides, with "Audubon's" having yellow throats and "Myrtle" having white throats that extend below the cheek. They breed in coniferous or mixed forests near clearings and are also found in various habitats during migration and winter, including woodlands, shrubby areas, coastal dunes, fields, parks, and residential areas.

The one I photographed in Cape May and the one I photographed in my backyard are Myrtle Yellow-rumped Warblers. I was very excited and very surprised when I heard the Warbler. I pulled out the Merlin ID app to confirm the call and then sat patiently on the deck in the backyard for my entire lunchtime, waiting for the opportunity. I struggled to get a good clear photograph of the Warbler.

Yellow-rumped Warblers primarily feed on insects, often seen hopping between perches. They also consume berries in winter. Their calls are distinct: "check" for Myrtle and rising "chit" for Audubon’s. I could hear two distinct calls from either end of the woods beyond the fence line.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle)

My first visit to The Beanery and my first time seeing this warbler.

After walking for 90 minutes on my field trip around The Beanery, I still had no bird photographs. Despite the group's enthusiasm, I started to feel that I had wasted my time. I wanted to quit the tour, leave the group, and return to the car. However, I didn't relish telling Bhavna we had driven two hours in the rain to return home empty-handed. We heard trills and high-pitched chips as we approached a pond near one of the farm buildings. We could see rapid movement in the vines growing on the other side of the pond. Someone called out, with a surprisingly disappointing voice, that we were looking at Yellow-rumped warblers. Finally!

The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a well-known bird species. Yellow-rumped Warbler species exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females have distinct appearances. While editing my photos, I realised that I had photographed females only. Female Yellow-rumped Warblers are referred to as "Myrtle."

Like most warblers, Yellow-rumped warblers are primarily insectivorous during the breeding season, feasting on insects and other invertebrates. Pond flies were buzzing around the pond as I photographed the birds hopping between the leaves of the thick vines and the branches of the dead shrubs near me.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler plumage provides camouflage in various environments where the warbler lives. During the breeding season, Myrtle females have grayish-olive upperparts with streaks on their back and wings. Their throats and undersides are pale yellow. However, the prominent feature of Yellow-rumped Warblers is the yellow patch on their rump. The colour is more subdued in females than males but still noticeable.

After the early morning disappointment, seeing these Yellow-rumped Warblers in their natural habitat was rewarding.