The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the most abundant and widespread warbler in North America, nicknamed 'butter butt' for its distinctive yellow rump patch that flashes in flight. It is unusually cold-tolerant for a warbler because it can digest wax in bayberries, allowing it to winter farther north than any other warbler. Two subspecies — the 'Myrtle' of the East and 'Audubon's' of the West — were once considered separate species.
Best time to see a Yellow-rumped Warbler
The best time to see a Yellow-rumped Warbler is October–February, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 167,565 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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