The first rays of light have peeked through the early morning sky and I eagerly watch my feeder for furry flying wonders. My cat begins to attack the window in a continuous failed attempt to catch the squirrel that torments her a foot away. I stare at the feeder and await their arrival with a full cup of freshly perked coffee and binoculars in hand.
A few chickadees make their way to the overflowing feeder and indulge in the black-oil sunflower and small sunflower seeds.
A Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) makes its way to my feeder. This is my first sighting of this species for the season. The Palm Warbler is a rusty-capped, small songbird with a brownish back, bright yellow undertail and yellowish underparts. It can be recognized from its trademarked tail-wagging habit that shows off its yellow undertail.
This little 0.5 ounce songbird consists of two distinct populations. These two populations are sometimes referred to as Yellow Palm Warbler (eastern subspecies) and Western Palm Warbler. The western subspecies are duller with whitish bellies while the eastern subspecies are entirely yellow underneath.
As the weather begins to break and the outside becomes more inviting, get outside and see what species cross your path. Share what you find and perhaps this species will greet your feeder in winged anticipation.