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May 4

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Places to Visit and Explore Nature in Stanley Park Ecosystem Guides: Woodland Stanley Park Visitor Map: with Park Features, Trails, and Destinations Lost Lagoon

Yellow-rumped Warbler This handsome bird, a male Yellow-rumped warbler is one of several warbler species that appear in Stanley Park during the Spring Migration. Yellow-rumps are amongst the first of the North American warblers or wood-warblers to arrive. These hardy birds winter farther north than most of their wood-warbler cousins. The name given to Yellow-rumped warblers was changed recently. Previously, the species we now call the Yellow-rumped warbler was viewed as two separate species; the Audubon's and the Myrtle warblers. These are now considered subpecies of the Yellow-rumped warbler. The yellow throat of this bird identifies it as a member of the Aububon's subspecies. Audubon's are the more common type along the West Coast. Yellow-rumped warblers are insectivores and they capture their insect prey in a variety of ways. One of their most noticeable foraging techniques involves hawking insects; a term that describes flying out from a perch to capture insects in flight. Look for these birds flying out from the alders and birches growing along the edge of Lost Lagoon. You might think that this striking warbler with it light and dark markings highlighted by dabs of bright yellow would make it easy to find. However, this bird blends in very nicely with the fresh yellow leaves of alder and birch. Listen for the single-note calls these birds make while foraging. Its one of your best guides to finding and observing these Spring migrants.       Field Guide Entry: Yellow-rumped Warbler

Stanley Park Explorer http://www.stanleyparkexplorer.ca Produced by Peter Woods naturalist@stanleyparkexplorer.ca           Revised: May 20, 2011