The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a small songbird that breeds throughout northern North America and winters from southern Canada to Central America. This warbler gets its name from the patch of bright yellow feathers on its rump and sides. With some searching in the right habitat during spring and fall migration, and a little bit of luck, bird watchers can find Yellow-rumped Warblers in many parts of the United States and Canada.
What does the Yellow-rumped Warbler look like?
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a compact warbler with a flat head and thin pointed bill. Adults have olive-gray upperparts, black streaks on the back and flanks, white underparts, yellow patches on the sides and rump, and white wing bars. Males have black streaking on the throat and breast, while females have less prominent streaking. In spring and summer, males have bright yellow crowns. Immature birds are duller overall with little to no yellow patches.
Yellow-rumps are active foragers, moving quickly through branches and leaves in search of insects, spiders, and berries. Their constant tail bobbing makes them easily recognizable. Their song is a fast trill, sounding like “tseet-tseet-tseet-tseet.” Calls include a fast “chip” and a harsh “check.”
Where do Yellow-rumped Warblers live?
Yellow-rumped Warblers breed predominantly in coniferous forests across Canada and the mountainous western United States. Some populations breed in deciduous forests in eastern and central North America. They nest low in conifers, laying 3-5 eggs in a neatly woven cup nest. During the winter they migrate south, with some overwintering as far south as Nicaragua.
On migration and in winter, Yellow-rumped Warblers can be found in a variety of open and woodland habitats, including forest edges, parks, shade trees, shrublands, and orchards. They mainly eat insects, especially during the breeding season, switching to berries and wax myrtle drupes in winter.
Where to see Yellow-rumped Warblers in spring
In spring, the best places to find Yellow-rumped Warblers are along the Atlantic coast and in the western mountains as they migrate north to their breeding grounds. Some prime areas include:
- New Jersey coast and Cape May Peninsula
- Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee
- Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee
- Northern Georgia mountains
- Gulf coast of Florida and Alabama
- Woodlands, parks, and botanical gardens in the southeast U.S.
- Rocky Mountains in Colorado and surrounding states
- Cascades and Sierra Nevada Mountains in Washington, Oregon, and California
- Pacific coastline from Washington to Northern California
In these areas, listen for the buzzy trill call of Yellow-rumped Warblers high in pines and other conifers. Look for them gleaning insects from leaves at all levels of trees and shrubs. Males sing persistently to establish breeding territories after arriving in late March to May.
Best times to see Yellow-rumped Warblers in spring
The peak spring migration period for Yellow-rumped Warblers runs from mid-March through early May. Some of the best times to spot them include:
- Mid-April in the Appalachians and southeastern coastal areas
- Late April to early May in the Rockies
- Early to mid-May along the Pacific coast
Where to see Yellow-rumped Warblers in winter
Yellow-rumped Warblers overwinter in a variety of open habitats with fruiting shrubs across the southern U.S. Excellent places to find wintering birds include:
- Southern California coast
- Central and southern Florida
- Coastal Louisiana and Texas
- Southern Arizona
- New Mexico mountains
- Sheltered mountain valleys in northeast U.S.
- Wax myrtle scrub habitats in southeast coastal plains
- Southern Georgia and the Carolinas
Search for Yellow-rumps around the edges of woods, in parks with berry trees, backyards with thick hedges, and open pine-oak scrub. They stay active all winter, foraging in shrubs and low branches. The bright male Yellow-rumps are especially eye-catching against the gray winter landscape.
Best times to see Yellow-rumped Warblers in winter
The peak winter season for Yellow-rumped Warblers runs from November through February. The best viewing is often in:
- Early November along the Gulf coast and in Florida
- Late November and December across the southern U.S.
- January in California and the desert Southwest
Tips for finding Yellow-rumped Warblers
Here are some tips to help locate Yellow-rumped Warblers during their migrations:
- Learn their common call notes and songs to help pinpoint them.
- Scan the tops of trees and edges of woodlands.
- Follow mixed foraging flocks with chickadees, nuthatches, and kinglets.
- Look for constantly bobbing tail movements.
- Watch for their habit of sallying out to catch insects in flight.
- Pay attention to habitat preferences, especially wax myrtle in winter.
- Be patient, they are often active and fast moving.
Conclusion
With a keen eye and by searching in the right habitats during spring and fall migration, bird watchers across most of the United States have a chance of spotting Yellow-rumped Warblers. The bright yellow rump patches make them one of the most recognizable and beautiful warblers to observe. Use the tips provided in this article to maximize your chances of finding Yellow-rumped Warblers throughout their range.
