Myrtle Warbler (or Yellow-rumped Warbler, myrtle subspecies), 3/23/21
Henry David Thoreau in the 19th century noted with delight in his journal that "myrtle birds were fluttering outside as if they wanted in." These tiny birds favor insects, and also berries from Wax Myrtle trees*, poison ivy, Virginia creeper, and other berry-producing plants.
Most warblers weigh under 10 grams (about a third of an ounce). Sometimes they chase insects over ponds like swallows.
I learned that this one I photographed is an immature female molting to breeding plumage.
