This supplement of Around The Ponds looks at some of the identification challenges presented by thirteen species of warblers that commonly migrate through southwestern Ohio. Two species, yellow warbler and common yellowthroat, also breed throughout our area, and a third, yellow-rumped warbler, can often be found during mild winters, as well as in migration. Most adult warblers basically look the same in spring and fall. So a drastic change between spring and fall plumages is the exception rather than the rule among warblers. A related factor to consider in the fall is that many, if not most, of the warblers one encounters are HY birds.
Adult warblers tend to migrate earlier than many realize.
Since many birders don t begin serious fall birding until September, they see mostly the HY birds. Warblers are active birds, no matter what the season. Good, long looks are often hard to get, but sometimes facial features alone can clinch identifications. Other features to keep an eye out for in the field include the general size of the bird, the wing bars or lack of wing bars, markings on the tail, and, particularly when it comes to warblers in the genus Dendroica , markings on the flanks, or the sides, are often tremendously helpful when it comes to identifying fall warblers. This supplement will focus on general fall warbler characteristics.