More on the (late) Fall Warbler(s)

This afternoon I was able to observe the mystery warbler again several times, and was also able to get some better photos. In addition, I discovered there was a second warbler, this one far more yellow than the first. Though the warblers did not remain together in an exceptionally close association, they did seem to move around with each other to a certain extent. Both were actively foraging, mostly in the open grassy or weedy areas, but occasionally (and briefly) on trees. It’s possible that they utilized trees more than I realized, because they were most easily observed on the ground. On a few occasions, I saw them come up with pretty good sized insect larva that I took to be caterpillars. When they got one, they would usually fly up to a branch to eat it (or perhaps I only noticed it when they did this).

Comments I received on the first post, as well as through e-mail, mostly suggested Orange Crowned-warbler, though I did have one response that it might be a Palm Warbler if it did a lot of tail pumping. As I did not notice any significant tail pumping, it probably was not a Palm Warbler, though the earlier photos showed some similarity to a Palm Warbler photographed in Gustavus recently. While the second warbler seems a bit more typical of an Orange-crowned Warbler, I’m still not absolutely convinced of the identity of the first warbler. However, it seems most likely that it’s also an Orange-crowned Warbler perhaps of the Taiga race (Vermivora celata celata), rather than the more typically seen (in Sitka) Pacific race (V. c. lutescens). The yellow rump still seems a bit strange, but otherwise things seem to fit.

(click on thumbnails for larger)

This Orange-crowned Warbler was observed 24 November 2007, a new late date for the species.

This Orange-crowned Warbler was observed 24 November 2007, a new late date for the species.

Eating a caterpillar(?)
Still showing a yellow rump
Apparent pale supercilium in earlier photo seems to have been an artifact
Faint pale yellow wash on breast, contrasts against pale gray of throat and head.
Caught another caterpillar(?)

The second warbler, presumed to be an Oranged-crowned Warbler. I believe it’s a new late record for this species in Sitka.

Additional photos can be found at:
24 November Photos: Backyard Birdsx