![]() This passerine bird was long known to be closely related to its counterparts Audubon's warbler and myrtle warbler, and at various times the three forms have been classed as either one, two or three species. They form small flocks on migration or in winter. Experienced birders recognize myrtle warblers with the naked eye by their flycatcher-like habit of making short flights from their perch in search of bugs. These birds are insectivorous, but will readily take wax-myrtle berries in winter, a habit which gives the species its name. Myrtle warblers nest in a tree, laying 4–5 eggs in a cup nest. Its breeding habitat is a variety of coniferous and mixed woodland. Their trill-like songs, nearly indistinguishable, consist of a 3–4 syllable "tyew-tyew-tyew-tyew", sometimes followed by 3 more "tew"'s. The myrtle can be distinguished from Audubon's warbler by its whitish eyestripe, white (not yellow) throat, and contrasting cheek patch. The female has a similar pattern, but the back is brown as are the breast streaks. It has white tail patches, and the breast is streaked black. The summer male myrtle warbler has a slate blue back, and yellow crown, rump and flank patch. It is a rare vagrant to western Europe, and has wintered in Great Britain. It is migratory, wintering in the southeastern United States, eastern Central America, and the Caribbean. It breeds in much of Canada and the northeastern United States. The myrtle warbler has a northerly and easterly distribution, with Audubon's further west. Back view of myrtle warbler showing yellow crest and rump. ![]()
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