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 auduboni)Bitterroot River Floodplain, Missoula Co., MT19 Sep 2014Audubon'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 coronata)Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC25 Jan 2014Winter 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 coronata)Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC26 Jan 2014
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)Ft. Fisher SRA, New Hanover Co., NC25 Jan 2014When 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 coronata)Dare Co., NC8 Nov 2012
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)Vidanta Resort Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico13 Dec 2023
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata coronata)This and other Yellow-rumped Warblers were drinking from this melting icicle and from nearby sapsucker wells.Durham Co., NC 10 Feb 2007
Created on ... March 12, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com