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Is this a Myrtle Warbler?

Discussion

6 replies
Posted by Angela McCain on July 24, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Is this a Myrtle Warbler?
The head is a little lighter than the almost black head in my book. Taken in January. Maybe a winter frock?
Posted by Angela McCain on July 24, 2010 at 11:08 PM
Sorry. Taken near Houston, TX
Posted by Ronnie Gaubert on July 25, 2010 at 12:30 AM
Hi Angela,
I was told this image was a Myrtle warbler (1st winter female)
Looks very similar. Mine was taken in Baton Rouge on Feb. 1.
Posted by Dhwani.J on July 25, 2010 at 2:05 AM
Beautiful pictures :)

Cheers
Posted by Joseph Jupin on July 25, 2010 at 11:56 AM
It looks like a Yellow-rumped Warbler to me. AKA "Butter-butts". Very nice photo.
Posted by Jeff Loomis on July 26, 2010 at 3:57 PM
Definitely a Yellow-rumped Warbler in non-breeding plumage, but it's hard to tell which subspecies. The official listing of subspecies changes from time to time, but I believe they currently list at least Myrtle and Audubon's and maybe others.

It is entirely possible that yours is a Myrtle, but I'm no expert so I can't say for sure. If it were a male in breeding plumage, I might hazard a guess, but winter plumage makes it tough.
Posted by Angela McCain on July 27, 2010 at 10:04 PM
I thought it was a Myrtle because there was basically no yellow on the neck. The yellow-rumped had yellow there and a more mottled underbelly.