Yellow-rumped Warbler

Seen near the end of September flitting through the treetops around the Sanctuary, the energetic yellow-rumped warbler (Setophaga coronata) is one of the first to arrive during fall migration. Its bright yellow patches on the sides and rump make it easy to pick out among mixed flocks of migrants. Exceptionally adaptable, the yellow-rumped warbler can thrive in a wide range of habitats and is one of the few warblers capable of digesting waxy berries like bayberry and wax myrtle. This dietary flexibility allows them to stay farther north and later into the season than most other warblers, a sure sign that autumn migration is in full swing!

Photo by Bill Moses.