Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
One of the most common and widespread warblers; often the core member of mixed warbler flocks during migration, especially early in spring and late in fall. Two main populations: “Audubon’s” breeds mainly in the mountains of the western U.S. and into British Columbia; “Myrtle” breeds from the eastern U.S. across Canada to Alaska. All plumages show a bright yellow rump and yellow on the sides. Most “Audubon’s” have a yellow throat, but dull immature females can be off-white. “Myrtle” Warblers have a white throat that wraps around below the cheek. Both subspecies breed in coniferous or mixed forests, often near clearings or edges. In migration and winter, found in any woodland or open shrubby area, including coastal dunes, fields, parks, and residential areas. Often sallies out from a conspicuous perch to snatch insects. Also eats berries in the winter. Calls frequently: a flat “check” (Myrtle) or rising “chit” (Audubon’s). Another distinctive sedentary population, surely a separate species, occurs very locally in the highlands of Guatemala: Goldman’s Warbler. Males are strikingly black overall, and show a mostly yellow throat with white corners.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Setophaga coronata
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Parulidae
- Genus
- Setophaga
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bioko Speirops
Zosterops brunneus
In the field, appears overall chocolate-brown with a slightly long blue-gray bill and blue-gray legs. Plumage is paler on the flanks and vent and darker near the face. Endemic to the island of Bioko, where it is found almost exclusively in the alpine zone at the top of Pico Basilé. Calls include rapid, short “peeps” and “siks” as well as longer churring notes.
Philippine Falconet
Microhierax erythrogenys
A small raptor of foothill forest that favors exposed branches on emergent trees, often near rivers. Black above with a bluish sheen and a black base to the undertail that extends to the thighs and sides. The rest of the underparts are white, extending to the white cheeks. Unmistakable, as there are no other raptors of this size or birds with this color scheme. Voice is a descending, mouse-like squeak, “wiiuuu!”
Blue-lored Antbird
Hafferia immaculata
Large, chunky, dark antbird restricted to northern Colombia and western Venezuela. Male entirely black with namesake blue lores and triangular patch of paler bluish skin behind eye. Female similar but warm dark brown instead of black. Long broad tail often strongly flicked downward and raised back up slowly. Usually seen in pairs, which forage close to the ground within forest. Can be shy and difficult to see. Sometimes follows ant swarms, but frequently seen away from them. Found mainly in the foothills and lower subtropics, up to 1,800 m. Listen for a mourning series of plaintive whistles, “teew, teew, teew, teew.”
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.