Watercolor portrait of Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata
Migratory, but many overwinter in the Un… Extremely adaptable Common Song

Learn to identify the Yellow-rumped Warbler by ear. Master the "soft musical trill" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“loose trill, "tyew-tyew-tyew-tew-tew"”

What the Yellow-rumped Warbler sounds like

A mid-sized warbler, largely gray and white with bright yellow patches. In breeding plumage, males (Myrtle form in the East) have a slate-gray back with black streaks, a white throat, yellow patches on the sides (flanks), a bright yellow rump (visible on the back at the base of the tail), and a yellow crown patch. The breast is white with black streaks. They have a black mask through the eyes with a white eyebrow and white crescent below the eye, and the outer tail feathers are white, showing as a white V in the tail in flight. Western (Audubon's) males are similar but have a yellow throat instead of white and less white on the face. Females are duller brownish-gray with similar pattern placement: they also show yellow rump, some yellow on sides and crown, but have more brown and less contrast. In non-breeding (winter) plumage, both sexes are dull brownish-gray overall with faint streaks and still usually show the yellow rump and often a hint of yellow on sides. The nickname "butterbutt" comes from that conspicuous yellow rump, which is often the easiest way to spot and identify them.

“soft musical trill”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A variable song usually described as a loose, musical trill. It's a rapid series of warbling notes that often have an uneven, up-and-down quality. One common variant of the Myrtle Warbler's song is a three-part trill: the first part rising, second part falling, third part rising (sometimes likened to "tseeYou tseeYou tseeYou"). Another variant is a steady 5-9 note trill that is relatively monotonic. Overall it's softer and sweeter than a Chipping Sparrow's monotone trill and not as clear as a Dark-eyed Junco's trill. Audubon's Warbler's song is very similar but may average a bit higher pitched and more even. There's a lot of regional variation, and individuals have multiple song types. Often written as “loose trill, "tyew-tyew-tyew-tew-tew"”.
Don't confuse with:The Magnolia Warbler — magnolia warblers also have yellow and gray, but a breeding magnolia male has a black mask and a bold black necklace of streaks on a bright yellow belly and a solid yellow rump patch. the key difference is magnolias have a large white patch at the base of the tail (magnolia shows extensive white on under-tail when flitting, whereas yellow-rumped shows white in the tail corners). also, magnolia warblers have a yellow throat in both sexes (in breeding plumage) and no white eye-line (they have a black mask and white eyebrow). in non-breeding, magnolia warblers are olive-backed with a yellow rump as well, so that can confuse; however, magnolias usually retain some bold black streaks on the under-tail coverts and lack the distinctive yellow side patches that yellow-rumped has. range and timing can help: magnolias generally don't winter in the us and are mostly gone by fall when yellow-rumps are abundant.

Lessons featuring the Yellow-rumped Warbler

Ready to test your ear? Practice identifying the Yellow-rumped Warbler's sounds in this interactive in-app lesson.

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Where you'll hear it

Extremely adaptable; uses a wide range of habitats. Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests – spruce-fir forests, pines, aspen groves, northern hardwoods, and mountainous forests depending on region. During migration and winter, found in various open woodland, scrub, thickets, parks, and even around town (especially where berry-bearing shrubs or fruiting trees exist). Common in winter in open pine forests, coastal scrub, marsh edges, and suburban yards (especially if bayberry or wax myrtle plants are present, as they eat those berries). They can be seen flitting out from tree canopies or sallying from exposed perches; in cold weather they often forage in flocks in sheltered, sunny spots. Overall, one of the most widespread warblers across North America due to flexible diet and habitat use.

In spring, males arrive on breeding grounds in striking breeding plumage and begin singing their loose trilling song. Breeding occurs from roughly May through July. They typically raise one brood (maybe two in the far south of breeding range). During breeding season, they focus on insects; both parents feed the young. By late summer, they molt into their fall plumage (which for adults is slightly duller but still recognizable). Come fall, they form flocks and begin moving south; by mid-fall, flocks of "butterbutts" (sometimes dozens strong) appear in woods and yards, often actively feeding on bayberries or other fruits. All through winter, they maintain a flocking lifestyle; you might see a half-dozen working through a wax myrtle shrub or flycatching on a warm afternoon. In late winter, some begin partial pre-alternate molts (especially first-year birds changing into adult male plumage) and as early as late February in southern areas, you'll hear them start singing occasionally. Migration north occurs in March and April; they swell numbers at stopover sites, sometimes being the dominant warbler species in early spring. They are often one of the first warblers to arrive back up north in spring and one of the last to leave in fall.

Similar species

Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warblers also have yellow and gray, but a breeding Magnolia male has a black mask and a bold black necklace of streaks on a bright yellow belly and a solid yellow rump patch. The key difference is Magnolias have a large white patch at the base of the tail (Magnolia shows extensive white on under-tail when flitting, whereas Yellow-rumped shows white in the tail corners). Also, Magnolia Warblers have a yellow throat in both sexes (in breeding plumage) and no white eye-line (they have a black mask and white eyebrow). In non-breeding, Magnolia Warblers are olive-backed with a yellow rump as well, so that can confuse; however, Magnolias usually retain some bold black streaks on the under-tail coverts and lack the distinctive yellow side patches that Yellow-rumped has. Range and timing can help: Magnolias generally don't winter in the US and are mostly gone by fall when Yellow-rumps are abundant.

Pine Warbler

Pine Warblers in winter are drab and could superficially look like Yellow-rumped: olive-gray with yellowish underparts and blurry streaks. But Pine Warblers do not have the bright yellow rump or the white tail flashes. Instead, they have two strong white wingbars and a plain face (no mask or distinct pattern, just an incomplete eye-ring). Also, Pine Warblers are more uniformly colored (dull yellow-olive) without the contrasting bright patches. Habitat: Pine Warblers stick to pine trees usually, often higher in canopy and more limited in range (SE and Eastern pine forests) while Yellow-rumps forage more actively and in varied trees/shrubs. If you see the yellow rump clearly, it's not a Pine Warbler.

Black-throated Green Warbler (female/immature)

Usually not too hard to separate: Black-throated Greens have olive upperparts and yellow face, with distinct dark cheek patch and lighter underparts with some streaks on sides, but critically they do not have a yellow rump patch and they have obvious white wingbars. Yellow-rumped in fall/winter is duller-faced (no yellow cheeks), but the presence of the yellow rump (and often yellow side/flank patches) distinguishes it. Also, Black-throated Greens typically stay farther south in winter (rarely lingering in US), and even immatures usually show a hint of the facial pattern (dark ear patch) unlike Yellow-rumped which shows a more blank face with an eyestripe in Myrtle form.

Audubon's vs Myrtle forms

This is within-species, but an important identification in the West. Audubon's Warbler (western subspecies) has a yellow throat, whereas Myrtle (eastern subspecies) has a white throat. In the West, especially in winter in say California or Arizona, if you see a Yellow-rumped Warbler with a white throat, that's likely a Myrtle that migrated west of normal, whereas most around will have yellow throats (Audubon's). Conversely, in the East, a warbler with a yellow throat in a flock of Yellow-rumps might be an Audubon's stray. Audubon's also tends to have more solidly dark cheeks and more yellow in the face, while Myrtle has that black eye-mask and white throat/eyebrow combo. They are officially the same species but it's a neat distinction birders enjoy noting.

Townsend's Warbler (female/immature)

In the West, someone might confuse a dull female Townsend's with an Audubon's Yellow-rump at a glance because Townsend's females have some yellow in face and streaky underparts. But Townsend's Warblers (even young ones) have a distinct facial pattern: an olive cheek patch bordered by yellow and a dark stripe through the eye, and usually a yellow spot on the chest but not the sides. Critically, Townsend's lack the yellow rump patch; instead they have olive or gray rump without bright color. Townsend's also keep bold black streaks down flanks in most plumages. Yellow-rumped (Audubon's) will have a plainer face with maybe just a lighter eye-ring and no distinct cheek pattern, plus that trademark rump. Townsend's warblers also mostly stick to conifers in the far West and are less likely to be in open scrub in winter than Yellow-rumps.

Yellow-rumped Warbler song FAQ

What does a Yellow-rumped Warbler sound like?
A variable song usually described as a loose, musical trill. It's a rapid series of warbling notes that often have an uneven, up-and-down quality. One common variant of the Myrtle Warbler's song is a three-part trill: the first part rising, second part falling, third part rising (sometimes likened to "tseeYou tseeYou tseeYou"). Another variant is a steady 5-9 note trill that is relatively monotonic. Overall it's softer and sweeter than a Chipping Sparrow's monotone trill and not as clear as a Dark-eyed Junco's trill. Audubon's Warbler's song is very similar but may average a bit higher pitched and more even. There's a lot of regional variation, and individuals have multiple song types. Listen for the "soft musical trill" phrase.
How do I tell a Yellow-rumped Warbler from a Magnolia Warbler by sound?
Magnolia Warbler: Magnolia Warblers also have yellow and gray, but a breeding Magnolia male has a black mask and a bold black necklace of streaks on a bright yellow belly and a solid yellow rump patch. The key difference is Magnolias have a large white patch at the base of the tail (Magnolia shows extensive white on under-tail when flitting, whereas Yellow-rumped shows white in the tail corners). Also, Magnolia Warblers have a yellow throat in both sexes (in breeding plumage) and no white eye-line (they have a black mask and white eyebrow). In non-breeding, Magnolia Warblers are olive-backed with a yellow rump as well, so that can confuse; however, Magnolias usually retain some bold black streaks on the under-tail coverts and lack the distinctive yellow side patches that Yellow-rumped has. Range and timing can help: Magnolias generally don't winter in the US and are mostly gone by fall when Yellow-rumps are abundant..
When is the best time to hear a Yellow-rumped Warbler?
In spring, males arrive on breeding grounds in striking breeding plumage and begin singing their loose trilling song. Breeding occurs from roughly May through July. They typically raise one brood (maybe two in the far south of breeding range). During breeding season, they focus on insects; both parents feed the young. By late summer, they molt into their fall plumage (which for adults is slightly duller but still recognizable). Come fall, they form flocks and begin moving south; by mid-fall, flocks of "butterbutts" (sometimes dozens strong) appear in woods and yards, often actively feeding on bayberries or other fruits. All through winter, they maintain a flocking lifestyle; you might see a half-dozen working through a wax myrtle shrub or flycatching on a warm afternoon. In late winter, some begin partial pre-alternate molts (especially first-year birds changing into adult male plumage) and as early as late February in southern areas, you'll hear them start singing occasionally. Migration north occurs in March and April; they swell numbers at stopover sites, sometimes being the dominant warbler species in early spring. They are often one of the first warblers to arrive back up north in spring and one of the last to leave in fall.