Image: Mono Lake South Tufa Area (2013) 33

Description: Female Audubon's Warbler (now Setophaga auduboni, formerly Setophaga coronata auduboni) on tufa, as seen in Mono Lake's "South Tufa" area. The Audubon's Warbler is a western variation of what has been known as the Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata). Its eastern counterpart is called the Myrtle Warbler (now Setophaga coronata, formerly Setophaga coronata coronata). These two and the Goldman's Warbler (Setophaga goldmani), which is the Guatemalan version, are now classified as three separate species per IOC. IOC (see IOC Version 3.1 (April 30, 2012)) also reports that the Black-fronted Warbler (Setophaga nigrifrons), the Mexican variety, is now considered conspecific with auduboni per Brelsford et al 2011, Milá et al 2011, AOU/NACC 2010-A-3. According to the Mono Lake Committee's bird list, both Audubon's and Myrtle Warblers have been seen in the Mono Basin. The distinctive difference between Audubon's and Myrtle is that the former's throat area is also yellow, while the latter's is white. Males of both species also have a yellow crown. AllAboutBirds.org has tips on identifying different types of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Special thanks to User:MPF for providing guidance on the species split.
Title: Mono Lake South Tufa Area (2013) 33
Credit: Own work
Author: Nandaro
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License: CC BY-SA 3.0
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