Birds of the Upper Cumberland Region: Species Accounts

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)

Yellow-rumped Warbler [lateral view of basic-plumaged adult]: Photograph Credit: Stephen J. Stedman; Putnam County, Tennessee; 26 December 2011.

Abundance: Common mid-fall through late spring during most years, but the population present during winter is subject to considerable fluctuation correlated with, and probably caused by, the varying availability of soft mast from winter to winter (see also Remarks [below]); recorded in all Regional counties (Map of UCR Distribution); data from Regional bird-monitoring efforts indicate that the wintering population is probably stable, but this matter is difficult to determine because of the fluctuating numbers in the wintering population (see also Regional Bird Monitoring Plan).

Status: Winter Resident; photograph (see above).

Regional High Count and CBC/CBB High Count: 526 (30 December 2003; DeKalb County, Tennessee [CBC]; m. ob.).

Regional Extreme Dates:

    Early Fall: x (

    Late Spring: x (

Note: Regional dates of earliest reported fall arrival and latest reported spring departure during winters from 2002–2003 to 2011–2012 follow:

Habitat: During spring and fall the "butterbutt" may be found in almost any vegetated site, but it is more reliably found in mature forests than in other habitat types; during winter this warbler displays a distinct preference for cedar thickets, a habitat that enables it to subsist comfortably on cedar "berries" (i.e., cones), as well as on other food items found in the cedars.

YardWatch Results 2003 and 2004: Registered on 43 (of 125 possible) monthly check-lists during 2003 and on 75 (of 206 possible) check-lists during 2004, leading to a YardWatch frequency classification of Common during each year; this YardWatch frequency classification is quite consistent with the overall Regional abundance classification for this warbler.

Remarks: Results from the Winter Roadside Survey (WRS) in Putnam County, Tennessee, revealed dramatic differences in the frequency and abundance of this warbler during the five winters (1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011) when data were collected (LINK to WRS data). Results from the Regional Christmas Bird Counts (CBC) also revealed considerable annual differences in the frequency and especially the abundance of this warbler during early winter (LINK to Regional CBC data).  Furthermore, the WRS data are correlated with the CBC data (i.e., the "down" years of 1991 and 1996 on the WRS were also down years on the CBCs, while the "up" year of 2006 on the WRS was also an especially up year on the CBCs).  Such a correlation bolsters confidence in the ability of these monitoring efforts to provide reliable data about the status of this warbler and other species.

Yellow-rumped Warbler includes two morphs—Audubon's and Myrlte warblers, each formerly considered a separate species; currently these morphs are considered forms of one species. "Myrtle" Warbler is the commonly occurring morph within the Region, while "Audubon's," a western bird, is represented by a single record (February 20xx; Old Mill Rd., Putnam County, Tennessee; Stephen J. Stedman; a GBBC record) (Map of UCR Distribution).

Check-lists of Birds for the Counties of the UCR

Check-lists of the birds of each county of the Upper Cumberland Region may be viewed by clicking on the links below. For each county, there are two check-lists: one list that shows the species that have been observed and where possible documented in the county within the larger list for the entire Region; and one list that includes only the species observed in the county with annotations for the date and observers for at least one sighting (the ultimate goal of the latter list will be to include annotations for the very first known Regional observation of each species in that county; this goal is probably one that will take many years to complete, if completion is even a possibility). To see if the species discussed in this species account has been observed in a county, click below or click on the link for the Map of UCR Distribution near the top of the page.

Check-lists of Birds for Some Public Access Birding Sites of the UCR

Check-lists of the birds of some public access birding sites within the Upper Cumberland Region may be viewed via the links below. To see if the species dealt with in this species account has been observed within any of these sites, click on the appropriate link below. See the pages for each county within the Gazetteer for links to additional smaller public access birding sites with check-lists in progress.

Literature Cited