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Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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The rusty-capped Palm Warbler can be most easily recognized by the tail-wagging habit that shows off its yellow undertail. It breeds in bogs and winters primarily in the southern United States and Caribbean.

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Appearance

Warblers
Warblers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small songbird.
  • Brownish back.
  • Chestnut cap.
  • Bright yellow undertail.
  • Constantly wags tail.
  • Underparts yellow or yellowish.
  • Faint streaks on sides.

Immature Description

Similar to adult.

Range Map Help

Palm Warbler Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult breeding
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    Palm Warbler

    Adult breeding
    • © 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ontario, Canada, June 2000

Similar Species

  • Prairie Warbler also wags tail, but lacks a rufous cap, has bold dark streaks on sides, has yellow spectacles, a greenish back, and reddish streaks on back.
  • Rare Kirtland's Warbler also wags tail, but has gray face and back, white wingbars, white undertail, and lacks eyestripes.
  • Yellow Warbler is only other warbler with red streaks on chest, but it lacks a rusty cap and a dark eyestripe.
  • Cape May Warbler does not have yellow undertail and does not wag tail.
  • Yellow-rumped Warbler does not have yellow undertail and does not wag tail.