I took this image in Florida last March at the Viera Wetlands. When I took it I thought it was a Yellow-rumped Warbler as there were quite a few around at the time, but as I reviewed it the other day I began to suspect that my first thought about it was incorrecrt. Could this be a Palm Warbler western nominate race. Am I right or wrong?
Thanks for the help.
Mac
Last edited by Wheeler McDougal Jr.; 10-03-2009 at 05:08 PM.
You might be right Mac. Could be a Palm Warbler in transitional plumage which occurs in March. The yellow undertail coverts don't appear on Yellow-rumped Warblers. Hard to positively ID without seeing the back of the bird.
Yes I did, but I don't think they are very helpful. I will post a couple of more later today as I am off to church this morning. Thanks for the input and I will try to get them up as soon as I can.
Mac
Indeed a Palm Warbler. As mentioned by Matt the combination of streaking, yellow undertail coverts, and whitish belly perty much rule out everything else. Seeing the rufous crown more clearly (which you might have in other shots) would simplify your ID in the field. From the angle in the image I would add that the tail spots are wrong for a yellow-rumped for which the white patches would be more clearly spots (dark rim) unlike the white-tipped appearance of the Palm Warbler.
Just to add a further point of separtion here between Palm and "Aududons" Yellow-rumped Warbler.Look at that supercilium( white lines above the eyes tunning the along the side of the head). "Myrtle" Yellow-rumped warbler shows a slight supercilium,and even some breast streaking- but never as dense as this bird.Also the yellow undertail coverts aren't ever seen in Yellow-rumps of any race.Audubons Warblers are very pale faced in all plumages and could never show a supercilium like this. Aside from plumage features, Palm Warblers have a habit of wagging or bobbing their tails- this could help you with an identification in the future, if your doubting yourself.Be careful though,other species of Warblers have a similar tail wagging behavior,e.g. Prairie Warbler.