19 September 2023
At the moment warbler migration is at its autumn height in southwestern Pennsylvania however, as standard, the birds are arduous to spot. Their fall plumage is boring and complicated, they transfer rapid so we by no means get a excellent take a look at them, and we don’t get a lot apply as a result of lots of them are right here most effective in September. After which they’re long gone.
This 12 months it dawned on me that the magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia) is super-easy to spot if all you notice is its butt, as proven at most sensible and beneath.
The “maggie” has a singular development on its undertail, clean to peer at the unfastened Visible Finders PDF, downloaded from The Warbler Information. I’ve highlighted the magnolia warbler in this screenshot of Web page 15.
Be aware that the magnolia warbler is the most effective warbler with a white abdominal, white undertail coverts, white undertail and a big black straight-edged tip at the tail. It looks like this warbler used to be dipped tail first in black paint.
On some juveniles the top is darkish grey however the development is similar.
So this view is the easiest way to spot a magnolia warbler.
The undertail tells the story!
Obtain Stephenson & Whittle’s unfastened Visible Finders PDF at The Warbler Information.
(footage by way of Dave Brooke, diagrams from The Warbler Information unfastened obtain)
I extremely suggest the 560-page The Warbler Information by way of Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle which I take advantage of at house after noting the warbler’s key options within the box. Individually the guide is indispensable if you’re taking pictures.