Fall Warblers in Louisville

Lots of fall warblers have been moving through the woods the past few weeks.  As fall migration starts to wind down I thought I'd share some pictures I managed to get recently.  Below is a Palm Warbler in winter plumage.  Palm Warblers are common warblers, in spring they have bright chestnut caps atop their head.  In fall, like all warblers, they are less colorful but retain the bright yellow undertail coverts.  They also are known for pumping their tails up and down, a good characteristic to look for to identity Palm Warblers.

The three birds below gave me some trouble when trying to identify them.  The first bird is clearly a Tennesse Warbler in winter plumage.  It is tinged yellow all over and the eye-stripe give it away.  The last two birds are a bit more difficult to ID but I am *pretty* sure they are Tennessee Warblers as well, just birds that are in various stages of molting into their winter plumage (or they could be something else entirely).  If you think I am wrong be sure to leave a comment and set me straight.  :)

 

Next, the only warbler that regularly spends the winter in Kentucky, the Yellow-rumped Warbler, affectionately known by some as "Butterbutts" for their bright yellow rump patch.  I found a group feeding in some walnut trees this weekend along the Salt River in Shepherdsville.  Check out World Bird Wednesday for more bird photos.

Posted in: Palm Warbler,Tennessee Warbler,Walnut Tree,Yellow Rumped Warbler