Palm Warbler

Palm Warbler, adult breeding; Ontario; June

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

The rusty-capped Palm Warbler can be most easily recognized by the tail-wagging habit that shows off its yellow undertail. It breeds in bogs and winters primarily in the southern United States and Caribbean.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Brownish back.
• Chestnut cap.
• Bright yellow undertail.
• Constantly wags tail.
• Underparts yellow or yellowish.
• Faint streaks on sides.

• Size: 12-14 cm (5-6 in)
• Wingspan: 20-21 cm (8-8 in)
• Weight: 7-13 g (0.25-0.46 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes similar.

Sound

Song a weak trill. Call a thin "tsip" or a sharp "chip."

Conservation Status

Populations appear stable.

Other Names

Paruline à couronne rousse (French)
Chipe playero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Palm Warbler is found in two different forms. Birds that breed in the western part of the range are duller, and have whitish bellies. Those breeding in the eastern part of the range are entirely yellow underneath.
• Despite its tropical sounding name, the Palm Warbler lives farther north than most other warblers. It breeds far to the north in Canada, and winters primarily in the southern United States and northern Caribbean.

Sources used to construct this page:

Wilson, W. H., Jr. 1996. Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum). In The Birds of North America, No. 238 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.