Photo: Rhododendrites / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Myrtle Warbler
Setophaga coronata
Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of North America.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a member of the Parulidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 11.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Parulidae New World Warblers
- Genus Setophaga
- Species coronata
Where it lives
Alaska, northwestern, south-central, southeastern Canada and north-central, northeastern USA
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.9 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Parulidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Male vs female
Sexes differ: the breeding male (Myrtle form) is blue-gray above with a black breast and streaked black sides, a black cheek patch, white throat and belly, and bright yellow patches on the crown, rump, and sides; the female is duller and browner (brown-backed with brown or gray cheeks rather than the male's black) but keeps the yellow rump.
Juvenile appearance
Immatures and non-breeding birds are brown overall with muted, subdued streaking but retain the diagnostic yellow rump.
Breeding vs non-breeding
Non-breeding (fall/winter) plumage is much browner and drabber; the spring molt brings brighter gray, cleaner black, and stronger yellow.
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Myrtle Warbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Myrtle Warbler is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a species of bird in the Parulidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across North America. Its distribution covers NA Alaska, nw, sc, se Canada and nc, ne USA.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.9 g, with a wing length of about 7.4 cm and a tail of around 5.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 7.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Myrtle Warbler?
The Myrtle Warbler is a very small bird that weighs around 11.9 g.
Where does the Myrtle Warbler live?
The Myrtle Warbler is found across North America with a range covering NA Alaska, nw, sc, se Canada and nc, ne USA, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Myrtle Warbler belong to?
The Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) belongs to the Parulidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Myrtle Warbler eat?
The Myrtle Warbler is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Myrtle Warbler migrate?
The Myrtle Warbler is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Myrtle Warbler endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Myrtle Warbler make?
1 real field recording of the Myrtle Warbler — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Myrtle Warbler's range?
The Myrtle Warbler has a mapped global range of about 7.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.
Myrtle Warbler vs Mangrove Warbler: How to Tell Them Apart
How to tell a Myrtle Warbler from a Mangrove Warbler — size, range, family and status compared side by side, with links to each bird’s full ID guide.