The Myrtle Warbler

The eastern form of the Yellow Rumped Warbler has long been considered its "Myrtle" race, and for pretty good reason. One place I can be guaranteed sightings in winter is our ubiquitous Wax Myrtle (bayberry) bushes. I park my car at the office in a place where I can contentedly munch a sandwich at lunch and observe the YRWs picking off the hard waxy berries. They're the only warblers that can digest these fruits. Once they polish off this fruit, the YRWs will pillage feeders like mine, going after suet and peanut butter. I haven't seen any yet at home, so the office parking lot will have to do. And the berries are many, so I have a lot more lunchtime watching ahead.