Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

By far, the most common wintering warbler in NC, Yellow-rumped Warblers are affectionately referred to as "Butterbutts". Formerly classified as Dendroica coronata, four subspecies of Yellow-rumped Warbler are often recognized with two of them being widespread in the US and Canada. Audubon's Warbler (Setophaga coronata auduboni) is common in the West, and Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata) is common in the East.
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata auduboni)
Bitterroot River Floodplain, Missoula Co., MT
19 Sep 2014

Audubon's Warblers have yellow in their throats, and that pale color does not wrap around under and behind their cheeks.


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

Winter birds are much duller than breeding plumage birds. They're variably streaked below with variable amounts of yellow on the crown and shoulders. Brown tinge to upperparts varies with age and sex.


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

Myrtle Warblers show pale whitish throats, and the pale coloration wraps under and a bit behind the darker cheek.

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC
26 Jan 2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)
Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC
25 Jan 2014

When it's very cold in the northern US, Yellow-rumps may come to coastal North Carolina by tens or hundreds of thousands. When that happens, it's not unusual to see flocks of them foraging in grassy areas like sparrows.


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)

Dare Co., NC
8 Nov 2012


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

Pea Island NWR, Dare Co., NC
24 Oct 2014

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)

Pea Island NWR, Dare Co., NC
24 Oct 2014


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)

Vidanta Resort Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
13 Dec 2023


Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
Dare Co., NC
10 Dec 2005
Hyde Co., NC
17 Jan 2004

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)

Durham Co., NC
10 Feb 2007

This and other Yellow-rumped Warblers were drinking from this melting icicle and from nearby sapsucker wells.


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Created on ... March 12, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com