Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male, myrtle form

About the photographs

About the map

Play sound from this species

Play a video of this species
 

Yellow-rumped Warbler, female, myrtle form

Yellow-rumped Warbler, male, Audubon's

Dendroica coronata, female, Audubon's

Menu

1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is one of the most common warblers in North America. Although other warblers have yellow rumps, none are as conspicuous as consistently as this species.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Bright yellow rump in all plumages.
• Yellow patches on sides of chest.
• Streaks on sides of chest.
• Pale throat; white in the widespread "Myrtle" form, or yellow in the western "Audubon's" form.

• Size: 12-14 cm (5-6 in)
• Wingspan: 19-23 cm (7-9 in)
• Weight: 12-13 g (0.42-0.46 ounces)

Sex Differences

Female similar to male but duller and without black markings.

Sound

Song a slow musical trill, usually rising or falling at the end. Call note a distinctive "chek."

Conservation Status

Populations stable or increasing in most areas.

Other Names

Paruline à croupion jaune (French)
Chipe coronada (Spanish)
Myrtle Warbler, Audubon's Warbler (English)

Cool Facts

• The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the only warbler able to digest the waxes found in bayberries and wax myrtles. Its ability to use these fruits allows it to winter farther north than other warblers, sometimes as far north as Newfoundland.

• The Myrtle and Audubon's forms were once considered different species.

Sources used to construct this page:

1. Hunt, P. D., and D. J. Flaspohler. 1998. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata). In The Birds of North America, No. 376 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.
2. Dunn, J. L., and Garrett, K. L. 1997. A Field Guide to Warblers of North America. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.