Bird of the week: palm warbler
A palm warbler perched on a branch. Photo by Kai Frueh.
About: A yellow-brown warbler with a dark brown cap, lighter gray-brown wings and belly and a yellower breast and head with streaking. In breeding plumage birds appear much more yellow, while in non-breeding plumage (fall into winter) they will appear more brown. When feeding, they frequently bob their tails, which helps distinguish them from other warblers.
Where to find this bird: They could show up anywhere on campus, but tend to feed in the mid-to-low story of bushes and small trees.
When to find this bird: May and September–October
Fun fact: Even though “palm warbler” may suggest a tropical warbler, it in fact is one of the northernmost breeding and wintering warblers and is one of the first and last warblers to migrate through Wisconsin.