Poison ivy berries, in fact, are a big part of this species' diet in winter in its northern range. Iit eats the small, round berries that appear on the plant in fall. Though humans do best to stay away from poison ivy lest they have an allergic reaction, the yellow-rumped warbler enjoys this native plant. In spring, however, there are many more, and they'll be wearing their finest attire. During mild winters a few yellow-rumped warblers may be in the woods or near conifers at the Garden. Its winter range extends from the southern United States to the West Indies and Central America. The yellow-rumped warbler moves with food availability and weather, and varies its winter range depending on yearly conditions. But ornithologists today consider the yellow-rumped warbler and the Audubon's warbler the same species. At one time, the western counterpart was considered a separate species and dubbed the Audubon's warbler. The western counterpart has a yellow instead of white throat, and breeds in Alaska. The yellow-rumped warblers at the Garden are feeding and resting before completing their journey northward to breed in coniferous forests. Also, listen for the series of fast, high-pitched notes as the yellow-rumped warbler males defend feeding territory and practice their courtship songs. You can often even hear the bill snap as the warbler traps the hapless bug. You may observe the yellow-rumped warbler as it flies into the air to snatch one of spring's emerging insects. On a spring day at the Garden, you can watch yellow-rumped warblers perched on trees along the lakes and river waiting for insects rising from the water. As with many migratory songbirds, the males come first, followed by the much duller-looking females, who have yellow rumps, caps, and shoulders, but lack the deep blue and black of the males. It also sports a yellow cap on its head, yellow shoulders, and of course, the yellow rump. A spring male decked in his finest courtship attire is blue overall with a contrasting black breast and black facial pattern. This warbler species is quite handsome and fun to watch. It's one of up to 36 warbler species seen in the area during the spring and fall migrations. One of the most ubiquitous warblers throughout northern Illinois and at the Garden during spring migration is an active, thin-billed bird called the yellow-rumped warbler. Description: Look in open areas like the Dixon Prairie, or elsewhere around the Garden, for this warbler that is common at the Garden during its long migration stopover.
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