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Yellow Rumped Warbler - (Dendroica
coronata)
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On October 19,
2008, we got a quick glimpse of a yellow-rumped
warbler. Not much of a feeder bird, he seemed
attracted to our little pond. He has the
reputation of being the most abundant and
widespread warbler on our continent. This is
possible as this bird is able to live in many
diverse environments and can vary his diet from
insects to berries and fruit. He is highly
adaptable, but especially loves wax myrtle
berries (even though his name was changed).
The yellow rumped warbler is the combined name
of two similar types: the Myrtle Warbler found
in the east and described below and the
Audubon's Warbler, a western bird, with a broken
eye ring and a yellow throat.
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Size:
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Length:5-6 in
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Weight: .4-.5 oz |
Wingspan: 8.5-9 in |
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ID:
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Male: Slate gray above in summer;
black breast patch in inverted U
pattern; yellow patch on crown, below
each wing and on rump; two white wing
bars; white chin, belly, and patches on
the sides of the neck and throat; black
streaking on sides, wings and back;
white eyebrows; black under eye and on
cheek; feet anisodactylous (three toes
point forward and one toe points
backward) anddark; beak thin and sharp;
slate gray area becomes brownish in
winter
Female and Juvenile: May have same
yellow patches but duller than male;
brownish
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Habitat:
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Coniferous or mixed woodlands; parks
and gardens; dense shrubbery
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Diet:
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Insects (moths, beetles, wasps,
flies) and spiders; berries and fruit;
might come to feeders for suet and
peanut butter
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Family Behavior:
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Mating Habits:Monogamous and
solitary; 2 broods per year
Local Breeding Period: Mid-April
Nests:Cup shaped made of bark, twigs,
and roots, lined with feathers; built by
female in conifer on horizontal
branches; building process takes a week.
Eggs: 4-5 white with brown
and gray markings; female incubates
12-13 days
Nestlings: Born altricial (helpless,
naked, eyes closed) and stay in nest
10-12 days; fed by both parent
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Social Activities:
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Solitary or in pairs; gregarious in
winter, joining mixed flocks
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Range:
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Summers northern North Americas;
winters in southern US and Central
America
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Vocalization:
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Slow warble or musical trill that
falls or rises at the end; call is chip
or check
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| Lifespan: |
Up to 7 years |
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