“Yellow” subspecies of Palm Warbler photographed in NH in fall
“Western” subspecies of Palm Warbler photographed in winter on Sanibel Island, on the west coast of southern FLAlong with many sparrows akin to White-throated, White-crowned, Music, Chipping, Swamp, and Lincoln’s Sparrows we had migrating by way of New England, there are some Palm Warblers, prime photograph above. These late migrating, stunning warblers have yellow breasts and deep yellow undertail coverts. They consistently wag their tail up and down, a pleasant giveaway to their identification. These vibrant “yellow” Palms are the jap subspecies of Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea) and breed from central Quebec east. They winter alongside the Gulf Coast, from LA to northern FL.
The “western” subspecies of Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum palmarum) breeds from Ontario west, throughout to elements of the Yukon and ne. British Columbia and winters within the Southeast, down by way of south FL. Some can also winter on the West Coast. This subspecies has little or no yellow on the breast however nonetheless has vibrant yellow undertail coverts. There’s a breeding zone south of James Bay the place they intergrade. This provides you some thought of why Palm Warblers could look completely different, relying on which space of the nation you’re in.
Take pleasure in watching the Palm Warblers forage close to the bottom in goldenrods alongside the perimeters of fields in migration.
