Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata · Also known as: myrtle warbler, butterbutt
Winter warbler of bayberry thickets. Birders Guide notes Assateague’s bayberries filled with Yellow-rumps in winter.
Quick facts
| Group | Songbird |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Maritime forest, Dunes, Assateague National Seashore, Assateague State Park |
| Seasons (this coast) | winter, fall, spring |
How to recognize them
- Bright yellow rump patch visible in flight; yellow on sides; winter plumage brownish with a soft yellow crown spot.
- Myrtle form (expected here) has a white throat.
Biology notes
- One of the few warblers that winters commonly this far north—can digest bayberry wax.
- Active gleaner in shrubs and myrtle/bayberry thickets.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Assateague maritime scrub and bayberry patches (State Park and National Seashore).
- Dune crossovers and campground edges with fruiting shrubs in winter.
When to look
- Fall through early spring; scarcer in midsummer after nesting farther north.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Watch for the yellow rump as flocks flush from bayberries.
