Bird: Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)

Height: 6"

Description: Appears at Wakodahatchee in its fall and winter plumage. Quickly identified by bright yellow patch on rump between ends of wings. Also has yellow patches on sides of body. Other than that, brownish overall with lightly mottled cream-colored breast. Light stripe above eye, wings darker than body and patterned with light streaking. Tail dark with white stripes. Beak is short and dark; legs are dark.

Voice: A warbling "tweep-tweep-twee", and a sharp and frequent "chek". Audio is available at eNature.com.

Feeding: A very active feeder, feeds high and low in the trees on the berms. Eats insects and seeds.

Behavior at Wakodahatchee: In Florida, we find the "Myrtle Warbler" in its winter plumage. This is the eastern version of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. The western version of the Yellow-rumped Warbler is known as the "Audubon's Warbler". In the summer both sexes develop a yellow crown in addition to the yellow rump and side-bars. The male Audubon's Warbler also has a bright yellow throat. At Wakodahatchee, the Yellow-rumped Warbler arrives in October. It is very prevalent and easy to spot in the winter, both in the trees on the berms and among the Fireflag and Bulrushes. It is often heard before it is seen because it uses a repeated "chek" call to gather and locate flocks.

Click here for more information on The Yellow-rumped Warbler from eNature.com

The Audubon Field Guide on Florida reports that the local nick-name for The Yellow-rumped Warbler is "Butter-butt".