Florida is home to a diverse array of bird species. When looking for a bird with yellow under its tail in Florida, there are a few likely candidates that match this description.
Yellow-rumped Warbler
One of the most common birds with yellow under the tail in Florida is the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). This small songbird breeds in northern North America and migrates south to spend the winter in the southern United States and parts of Central America. The Yellow-rumped Warbler gets its name from the small patch of yellow feathers found under the base of the tail. This is a distinctive field mark that can be used to identify these birds.
In the spring and summer months, male Yellow-rumped Warblers have colorful plumage that includes blue-gray upperparts, white and black streaking on the back, a yellow throat and breast, and of course those yellow rump patches. Females are duller, lacking the bold black streaking and bright throat patch. Outside of the breeding season, both males and females take on similarly drab brown plumage. However, the yellow rump is retained year-round and all birds can be identified by this marking.
Yellow-rumped Warblers can be found in a variety of semi-open habitats in Florida, including forest edges, parks, yards, and open woodlands. They feed on insects, spiders, and fruit. These agile foragers glean insects from leaves and bark and will occasionally fly out to catch insects in mid-air. During winter, Yellow-rumped Warblers rely heavily on wax myrtle berries and other fruits.
Range and Habitat
The Yellow-rumped Warbler has an extremely large range spanning most of North America. During the breeding season, their range extends across Canada and the western United States. In winter, they can be found throughout the southern United States and south to Panama. In Florida, Yellow-rumped Warblers are abundant winter visitors, arriving in the state in September or October and staying until April or May before migrating north to their breeding grounds.
Viewing Yellow-rumped Warblers
Yellow-rumped Warblers are common and easily observed in a variety of Florida locales during winter. Some great places to spot them include:
- State and national parks
- Nature preserves
- Backyards with semi-open woods or shrubbery
- Open woodlands
- Forest edges
Look for these active birds flitting through branches and pausing to pick insects from foliage. Listen for their sharp chip notes. With a little patience, observers can get excellent views of Yellow-rumped Warblers feeding on berry bushes or even on suet feeders.
American Redstart
The American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) is another species that shows flashes of yellow under the tail. This warbler breeds across North America and spends its winters in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the northern parts of South America. However, some individuals migrate through Florida or stay there for the winter months.
Male American Redstarts are distinctive with jet black bodies contrasting sharply with bright orange patches on their sides, wings, and tail. Females are gray-brown above with yellow patches throughout, including two yellow wingbars and yellow tail patches. Both sexes have an orange-yellow patch on the sides at the base of the tail, right where it meets the body. When the tail is spread, this yellow patch becomes highly visible.
American Redstarts use their colorful tail in a display known as tail-fanning. They will frequently spread their tail to flush out and startle insects, then snap their tail closed to capture their prey. The yellow patch likely helps startle insects during this feeding behavior.
Range and Habitat
American Redstarts breed across Canada and the United States before migrating to the neotropics for winter. Their winter range includes Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, and Mexico. Some birds, particularly females and immatures, will stop off in Florida during migration or for the winter.
In Florida, American Redstarts occur in woodlands with dense undergrowth, along forest edges, in mangroves, and in wooded wetlands. They tend to forage low in shrubs moreso than in the tree canopy.
Viewing American Redstarts
American Redstarts are uncommon winter visitors in Florida, significantly less abundant than Yellow-rumped Warblers. Patience and luck may be needed to observe one. Prime spots include:
- Nature preserves with extensive forest understories
- Mangrove forests
- Overgrown lakes, ponds, and swamps
Listen for their sharp chip calls and watch for those diagnostic flashes of tail color as the birds fan their tails to stir up prey.
Orchard Oriole
The Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) is a striking black and chestnut colored songbird decorated with white wing bars. Adult males have deep chestnut underparts that contrast sharply with their black hood, back, wings and tail. Females are greenish-yellow on the underparts with darker olive upperparts.
In both sexes, there is a conspicuous patch of yellow-orange at the very base of the tail that contrasts with the black tail tip. This species gets its name from the nesting habitat preferences of some populations. Northern breeders often build nests in orchards. However, Orchard Orioles in Florida utilize a variety of wooded habitats.
Range and Habitat
Orchard Orioles breed in the central and eastern United States from the Great Plains through the East Coast. Their winter range includes Florida, Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, and Central America. Orchard Orioles migrate through Florida in the spring and fall, and some individuals winter in the state.
During the breeding season, Orchard Orioles favor open deciduous woodlands, forest edges, river bottoms, and orchards. In migration and winter, they utilize a broader range of semi-open and wooded habitats including suburbs and backyards.
Viewing Orchard Orioles
Orchard Orioles are somewhat uncommon in Florida. They are usually seen alone or in small flocks, associating at times with other blackbirds. The best spots to find wintering and migrating Orchard Orioles include:
- Rural woodlands
- Parks and suburban yards with tall trees
- Citrus groves
- River floodplains
Listen for their fluid, musical whistles and sharp chattering calls. Be patient and scan the tree canopy carefully for these lovely songbirds.
Painted Bunting
Arguably North America’s most colorful songbird, the Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) is a stunning sight. Males live up to their name and are artistically painted with hues of blue, green, yellow, and red. Females are also beautiful, with bright green upperparts and yellow-green underparts.
In both sexes, the yellow-green breast color extends down to the vent region right below the tail. When the tail is fanned, the yellow-green patch under the base of the black tail becomes highly visible. This yellow rump contrasting against the darker tail is a useful identification mark.
Range and Habitat
Painted Buntings breed in the south-central United States and winter primarily in Mexico, Cuba, and Florida. Along the Atlantic Coast, these birds migrate as far north as North Carolina in the summer and can be found wintering throughout the Florida peninsula.
In Florida, Painted Buntings frequent thickets along the edges of marshes, wet meadows, agricultural fields, and roadsides. They also forage in undeveloped scrublands with scattered trees and bushes.
Viewing Painted Buntings
When seeking Painted Buntings in Florida, head to overgrown fields in rural areas or marshy thickets and scan for these colorful sprites. Prime spots include:
- Scrublands
- Undeveloped fields with brushy edges
- Marshes
- Mangrove forests
- Overgrown citrus groves
Painted Buntings often forage low in dense vegetation. Look and listen carefully for glimpses of color and snatches of their sharp call notes. Males sing from high exposed perches early in breeding season.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
With its absurdly long, forked tail streaming behind like open scissors, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) is unmistakable. Adults have gray heads and pale pinkish underparts. The back, wings, and that impossibly long tail are darker gray. At the base of the tail, right above the legs, is a cinnamon-colored patch of feathers.
When perched, the bird’s incredibly long tail may not be immediately evident. However, once it takes flight, that tail spreads dramatically to reveal a flash of bright cinnamon-orange at the very base as it fans open.
Range and Habitat
Scissor-tailed Flycatchers breed in the southern Great Plains and southwestern United States. They winter from Mexico south to Central America. In Florida, they occur only as rare winter stragglers or transient migrants, mainly October through December.
These flycatchers are most often observed on fences and power lines in open country. They also utilize pastures with scattered trees or shrubs and open woodlands with grassy understories.
Viewing Scissor-tailed Flycatchers
Scissor-tails are rare and irregular in Florida. An individual may turn up occasionally in a rural open setting such as:
- Fencerows
- Pastures
- Airfields
These large flycatchers are usually solitary. Carefully scan suitable perches like power lines, fence posts and dead snags. The bird’s habit of fanning its long tail open while perched can help make it more visible.
Painted Bunting vs Blue Grosbeak
The Painted Bunting can potentially be confused with the Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea), especially females and immature males. However, these species differ in some key respects:
Identification Tips
Painted Bunting | Blue Grosbeak |
---|---|
– Smaller sized with a thinner bill | – Slightly larger with a thicker bill |
– Yellow-green breast and belly | – Buffy orange breast and belly |
– Dark bill | – Pale grayish bill |
These features, combined with the yellow rump patch can help distinguish Painted Buntings from the similar Blue Grosbeak.
Conclusion
Florida provides wintering and passage habitat for a diverse range of species with yellow or orange patches under the tail. This includes resident species like Painted Bunting and Orchard Oriole, winter visitors such as Yellow-rumped Warbler and American Redstart, and rare vagrants like Scissor-tailed Flycatcher.
When seeking out these birds, pay attention to their favored habitats, behavior, vocalizations and any distinguishing field marks beyond the yellow rump patches. With some time and luck, observers can be rewarded with sightings of some incredible birds, colorful migrants and uncommon species among them.
The flash of yellow or orange under the tail is not only useful for identification, but likely serves other purposes for these birds as well. Visual signals play a key role in communication for many bird species. These bright feathers may help signal aggression or serve as dominance displays, foster cohesion among flocks, or assist with mate attraction. The distinctive coloring under the tail can also draw attention as the birds spread their feathers to startle and flush out prey.
Whatever advantages these yellow and orange rump patches confer, they add a welcome splash of color and provide a useful identifying mark for birders seeking to unravel the diversity of the avifauna in Florida.