Palm warbler Dendroica palmarum


Identification Tips:

Yellow (Eastern):

Western:

Similar species:

The Palm Warbler is quite a variable species. Eastern birds in Spring are very bright yellow underneath with rusty caps and are quite showy. But immatures in fall can be very dull-especially the Western ones. But one field mark all Palm Warblers share is that they constantly pump their tails. The tail-wagging helps draw attention to another good field mark, the yellow undertail coverts. The Prairie Warbler also wags its tail but has brighter yellow underparts, lacks streaking on the breast and a has different face pattern.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.