Dendroica coronata
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the most abundant and widespread North American wood warbler. Although this bird is common to most experienced bird- watchers, it is still often sought out in the Rockies. Yellow-rumped Warblers come in two forms: the 'Audubon's Warbler,' which has a yellow throat, and the 'Myrtle Warbler,' which has a white throat. 'Myrtles' are more prevalent in the northeastern Rockies and 'Audubons' in the southern and western Rockies, but both forms occur throughout our range. The two forms of the Yellow-rumped Warbler were once considered separate species, but because of their overlapping ranges in the Rockies, and because they interbreed, they are now considered a single species. The scientific name coronata is Latin for 'crowned,' referring to this bird's yellow crown. |
I.D.: General: dark upperparts; yellow rump; white tail patches; yellow 'shoulder' patch, white belly; white undertail coverts; dark cheek. 'Audubon's Warbler': yellow throat; large, white wing patches; yellow crown extending to the back of the head; male has a blue-black back; female has gray-brown upperparts. 'Myrtle Warbler': white throat; thin, white wing bars; male has blue-black upperparts; female has gray-brown upperparts. Size: L 51/2 in. (14 cm). Range: very common migrant and summer breeder throughout the Rockies; common winter resident in the southern U.S. Rockies. Habitat: Breeding: all forested areas, especially conifer forests, throughout the foothills and the montane. Fall migration: commonly in subalpine regions. Nesting: in the crotch or horizontal limb of a conifer; female constructs a compact cup nest with grass, bark strips, moss, lichens and spider silk; female incubates 4-5 eggs for up to 13 days. Feeding: hawks, hovers or gleans vegetation and buds for beetles, flies, wasps, plant lice, and caterpillars; sometimes eats berries. Voice: call is a sharp chip. Male: song is a tinkling trill that rises or falls at the end; much variation between races and individuals. Similar Species: Magnolia Warbler male has a yellow belly and a white eyebrow, but lacks the yellow crown. |
