Migrating Yellow-rumped Warblers

A final push of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Setophaga coronata) past North Lookout signifies the unofficial end of warbler season in the northeastern U.S. These common little songbirds spend the breeding season in northern North America and overwinter in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America. Nicknamed “butter-butts” for their characteristic yellow rump, birds in their winter plumage also have splashes of yellow under their wings but are otherwise a pale brown-gray with light streaking. Their breeding plumage is much more striking. 

Photo by Bill Moses.