Warbler 5/11/21, Virginia US (1 Viewer)

[mtn]

Just saw a warbler in the tree outside my office window where I've seen Yellow-Rumped and Black-Throated Blue Warblers over the past week (did not have a camera handy, sorry)... this one looked somewhat similar to the Yellow-Rumped (it did have a yellow rump patch) only with pure yellow on the throat and neck and a distinct chestnut-colored triangular patch on it's cheek. A quick look through Merlin and the only warbler I see with that chestnut colored cheek mark is the Cape May Warbler... are there other warblers that also have a chestnut-colored patch like this? (I am new to Warbler ID)

Thanks all,
Daniel

 

[birdmeister]

You've described a male Cape May very well! They're the only warbler with that chestnut cheek patch isolated among all that yellow and green on the face. Plenty are coming through at the moment, too. Although their rump patch isn't as bright yellow as on Yellow-rumped, it's a sort of lime green and stands out a good bit as you noticed.

 

[mtn]

Thank you!

 

[Microtus]

Yes to Cape May Warbler, one of my favorite warblers.