Yellow-rumped Warbler

Dendroica coronata

There are two forms of the Yellow-rumped Warbler, the Myrtle and the Audubon's.  The Audubon's (shown in the picture to the right) is generally found in the western half of the continent, while the Myrtle  is generally found in the eastern half.  Note the differing throat color and facial pattern for the two forms, as seen in photos of both (bottom of the page).  Both forms can be found in South Dakota.  Yellow-rumped Warblers are able to digest some berries and fruits that most other warblers can't. This allows them to arrive earlier in the spring and stay later in the fall than many other warblers, and also allows them to winter in the southern U.S

Habitat: Conifer forests in the summer, common in a wide variety of habitats during migration.

Diet: Insects and berries.  Winters further north than most warblers because of it's ability to digest berries.

Behavior: Uses a wide variety of methods when foraging for food, including flycatching and snatching insects in mid-air, hovering and grabbing prey from the foliage, clambering through foliage and along branches and tree trunks, or feeding on the ground.  Males stick very tightly to females during courtship, exhibiting courtship displays at every turn.

Nesting: Late May through mid-July

Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map

Song: Yellow-rumped Warbler Song, also Yellow-rumped Warbler Call.

Migration: Neotropical migrant, wintering in the southern U.S. and points south.

Similar Species: Palm Warbler, Cape May Warbler

Status: Generally stable throughout its range.

Further Information: 1) Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Yellow-rumped Warbler

2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Yellow-rumped Warbler"

Photo Information: May 2008 - Bryce Canyon, Utah - Terry Sohl

Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Yellow-rumped Warbler photos.