Yellow-rumped Warbler Taking a Sip

Yellow-rumped Warbler: The Iconic ‘Butter Butt’ in My Backyard

by

I recently shared a blog post about the return of Yellow-rumped Warblers to my yard this fall. Known for the distinctive yellow patch on their rump, these birds have earned the playful nickname “butter butt.” Since their arrival, I’ve been hoping to photograph one showing off this unique feature. Finally, last week, I succeeded and wanted to share these photos with you!

Yellow-rumped Warbler Posing with a Splash of Yellow
Perched confidently at the birdbath, this Yellow-rumped Warbler displays the distinct yellow patch that makes it easy to spot, even in its subtle winter plumage.
Yellow-rumped Warbler Taking a Sip
A Yellow-rumped Warbler leans down for a drink at the birdbath, showing off its iconic bright yellow patch on its rump—earning it the nickname “butter butt”.

Observing the Yellow Patch: More Than Just a Mark

The bright yellow patch on the rump of a Yellow-rumped Warbler is more than a quirky characteristic; it serves various functions in their social and survival behaviors:

  • Identification in Flocks: The yellow patch helps individuals recognize each other within flocks, especially in their winter habitats where other colors may be more muted.
  • Mating Displays: During the breeding season, the yellow patch plays a role in courtship displays, attracting potential mates.
  • Social Signaling and Territory Defense: The yellow color may also be used for signaling among individuals, especially when defending feeding territories or communicating within flocks.

This distinctive feature is present year-round in both males and females, making the Yellow-rumped Warbler one of the few warbler species you can easily identify even during the winter months.

Technical Details of the Photos

To capture these shots of the Yellow-rumped Warbler at my birdbath, I used the following camera settings:

  • Date: 10/22/24
  • Camera: Canon EOS R5
  • Lens: Canon RF 200-800mm
  • Focal Length: 800mm
  • ISO: 5000
  • Aperture: f/9
  • Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec
  • Exposure Compensation: +0.7

The soft morning light worked well to bring out the details in the bird’s feathers and the vivid yellow rump patch. The high ISO helped manage the early light conditions while maintaining image quality.

Links for More Information

If you’re interested in learning more about these fascinating warblers, here are some excellent resources:

Yellow-rumped Warbler – All About Birds

Yellow-rumped Warbler | Audubon Field Guide

It’s always rewarding to observe these returning visitors in the fall, and now, having captured the elusive yellow patch, I look forward to observing more of their behavior throughout the season. Stay tuned for more updates!

2 thoughts on “Yellow-rumped Warbler: The Iconic ‘Butter Butt’ in My Backyard”

  1. I’ve photographed some Yellow-rumped Warblers in my yard this fall near Tulsa, but have yet to get the yellow on their rumps!

  2. Thanks for the pictures and information on the Yellow rumped warbler. They are a very pretty bird.

Comments are closed.