“Myrtle” Yellow-rumped Warblers Dendroica coronata coronata
15 May 2007, Mont Royal, Montreal, Canada

One of the commonest and most widespread of the dendroica, the Yellow-rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata has two distinct populations: the western “Audubon’s Warbler.” (D. c. audubonii) breeds from northern British Columbia and northern Manitoba, south to northern Mexico, and in the East the “Myrtle Warbler” (D. c.coronata) breeds from northern Alaska (north of “Audubon’s”) right across Canada south to Michigan, northern New York, Massachusetts, and Maine, and winters from the southern part of the breeding range southward into the tropics (in the East, the “Myrtle Warbler” is an abundant migrant, and the only warbler that regularly spends the winter in the northern states).

Until recently, the eastern and western populations of the Yellow-rumped Warbler were thought to be two distinct species. However, it has been found that in the narrow zone where the ranges of the two come together, the birds hybridize freely.

Amongst other differences, eastern birds in breeding plumage are quickly recognised by their white throats (yellow in western birds) and isolated dark auriculars.

 

 

 

 

 

“Myrtle” Warblers - Dendroica coronata coronata

 

 

“Audubon’s” Warbler - Dendroica coronata audubonii, Los Angeles, April

For photographs of non-breeding eastern birds, please go to Butterbutts at Point Lookout

All photos this page copyright Charlie Moores