Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata ssp. coronata)
Place observed
Miller Marsh, Tylee Marsh, former golf course area
Description
It is about 15 cm long. When in its breeding plumage, it can be distinguished by its mask and stripes (black in males and brown in females), its white throat and belly, and yellow spots on each side of the upper chest and rump. Juveniles have brown stripes, without yellow spots, and are among the only young warblers that can be seen during migration.
Habitat
The Yellow-rumped Warbler lives in North America, in a large part of Canada and the United States, in addition to Mexico, Central American countries and the Caribbean. It is one of the most widespread of the warbler family. In Rosemère, it has been observed in the Miller Marsh, in the vicinity of the former golf course and in the Tylee Marsh.
Wooded areas with a minimum of conifers represent the preferred breeding habitat of the Yellow-rumped Warbler. During the winter and while migrating, they can be seen in open woodlands, shrubby areas, parks and populated areas. It is not uncommon to see them traveling in groups. They feed on arthropods (insects and spiders) which they find in the foliage of trees and shrubs and catch with their fine beaks. Berries are also part of their diet, especially in winter.
The spring migration takes place from April to May, and the fall migration from September to November. Individuals usually move at night.
Breeding
During the breeding season, it is the female who builds the nest in the shape of a cup, most often on the horizontal branch of a conifer. She uses twigs, pine needles and other fine materials such as feathers and hair to line it. She eventually lays 4 to 5 eggs and incubates them for 12 to 13 days. When they hatch, the babies are very vulnerable but grow quickly. The female incubates them for another 10 to 14 days before they can leave the nest and fly away.
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