skip to main content

Yellow Rumped Warbler and nectar

16 years ago

A few days ago I had a Warbler hanging out underneath my hummingbird feeders looking for food on the ground. Every now and then he'd fly up to the feeders and mostly chase the hummers away.

He didn't care for the seed I had on the ground for the Juncos but he did appreciate the corn meal.

Today, outside my BR window I heard him chirping again, looked out and there he is sitting on the nectar feeder eating away. The feeder is only 2' from my window so I can say for sure that he was actually eating.

Is this common?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

rachel_frome_ky
16 years ago
Could be a rare behavior..take a photo!
Around here they overwinter in flocks, foraging along creek banks for old berries when it's too cold for insects
organic_bassetlvr
16 years ago
I have seen Yellow-rumps at sapsucker holes but don't know if they were after the sap or insects. That's very interesting they were using your nectar. I just read on TN birds that a Rufous hummer was captured nearby (East TN) & had already been banded. I guess I'll put my feeder back out, just in case!
Susan
Related Discussions
The warblers are on the move!
Q
Comments (8)
Yup, fall is close - the buckeyes and walnuts are ready to drop, the robins are starting to flock and my garden looks dead! I love fall and refuse to let the dread of winter keep me from enjoying it! Brenda, according to my Sibley guide, you might also see ... Nashville Warbler (migrant) Orange crowned warbler (migrant) Yellow rumped warbler (winter resident) MacGillivrays (summer resident, migrant) Yellow breasted cht (summer resident, migrant) There's another whole list of warblers that are listed as rare so maybe you will get lucky! I was surprised there weren't more warblers listed for California since so many of them winter in Mexico and breed in Canada. I'm also not sure if they migrate at the same time of year for you. The best way to know is google audubon chapters for areas close to you, alot of them have websites where bird sightings are listed. I'm sure there are lots of other birds too that will migrate through California. Thats one of the reasons that I love fall!
...See More
Birdbook pics don't do them justice!
Q
Comments (5)
It was feeding at a commercial variety suet block. Thanks for posting this picture dzyg. Ours was a much lighter grey and of course when you see them moving around their rumps show a large patch of yellow as do their wings. I wish I had a camera that was good enough to take pics of my birds...We had 4 flickers at the feeders together the other day.
...See More
Agressive Yellow Rumped Warbler
Q
Comments (3)
And another YES! Last winter a Yellow-rumped Warbler (I like the term Butter Butt) tried to guard one of my suet feeders against a Carolina Wren. Apparently the wren was too big or looked too mean so the warbler just stood and glared at the the wren that dared to eat warbler suet. Claire
...See More
Warbler and Sparrow IDs please
Q
Comments (2)
You're right on with the warbler IDs. The sparrow is a Song Sparrow. Nice bunch of yard birds. -O-
...See More
bbcathy
16 years ago
I have seen Gold Finches and House Finches and a few other birds drinking from the Hummer feeders before. I have some birds eating grape jelly besides Catbirds and Orioles as well. Like us I think some of them just like sweets.
Cathy

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: The Wonder of Warblers

By Habitat Network

These small, dynamic birds call North America home, with the yellow-rumped warbler flocking to every U.S. state

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Healthy Home Habitats for Northern Flickers

By Habitat Network

These colorful woodpeckers found across the U.S. and Canada love berries, seeds and ants and often nest in deep burrows in trees

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Wild Birds Transform a Woman’s Garden and Life

By Mary Jo Bowling

How Sharon Sorenson created a wildlife haven and became the Bird Lady of Southern Indiana

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Northern Cardinals in the Snow, and Other Red Birds

By Habitat Network

Brilliant crimson feathers make these friends stand out in a crowd

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: Orioles Return After Spending Winter in the Tropics

By Habitat Network

These colorful songbirds prefer woodlands and forest edges, but they’ll visit yards with fruit-producing trees and shrubs

GARDENING GUIDES 13 North American Backyard Birds to Know

By Annie Thornton

Find out about these enchanting native species and learn how to attract them to your yard

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Picea Glauca

By Susan J Tweit

Its sculptural form and evergreen foliage provide year-round beauty and wildlife shelter. Its cones offer important winter songbird food

Sponsored

More Discussions

ID OWL IN S.E. MICHIGAN z5b

0