A gray, black and yellow yellow-rumped warbler on a twig. — Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yellow-rumped Warbler

Setophaga coronata

North America's most abundant warbler, nicknamed 'butter-butt' for the bright yellow patch above its tail.

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About the Yellow-rumped Warbler

Yellow-rumped warblers are about 5.5 inches long, gray with black streaks and bright yellow patches on the rump, sides and throat. They are the most abundant warblers in North America. In summer they live in pine forests, and in winter they look for berry bushes in open woods and parks. They eat insects like beetles, ants and spruce budworms, and berries in winter.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Setophaga coronata^[1]
Size: About 5.5 inches long.^[1]
Lifespan: About 7 years on average.^[1]
Diet: Insects such as beetles, ants, aphids and spruce budworms, plus berries.^[1]
Habitat: Pine forests in summer; open woods and parks with berry bushes in winter.^[1]
Where it lives: North America.^[1]
Group life: Flocks in migration and winter, often with other species.^[1]
Babies: 1 to 6 eggs, usually 4, incubated for 12 to 13 days.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2022).^[2]

Fun facts

Birders call it 'butter-butt.'^[1]
Its scientific name means 'crowned moth-eater.'^[1]
It will eat peanut butter at bird feeders.^[1]

Vocabulary

warbler: A small, often colorful songbird that eats insects.
migrate: To travel from one region to another with the seasons.
brood: A group of young birds hatched at the same time.
clutch: A group of eggs laid at one time.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Bird HouseSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Yellow-rumped warbler.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/yellow-rumped-warbler (accessed 2026-10-08)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Setophaga coronata (Myrtle Warbler).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103798425/139138664 (accessed 2026-10-08)

Facts last checked 2026-10-08.

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