Yellow-rumped Warbler Molting in Toronto

A Yellow-rumped Warbler has been wintering at our feeders in Toronto since 16 December 2012. It survived the coldest part of the winter with temperatures as low as minus 21 Celsius. This young male Yellow-rumped is now molting into its first breeding plumage. We noticed signs of molt about two weeks ago. Compare the "Myrtle" above photographed 31 March 2013 with the same bird in February in the link below.

 

Yellow-rumped Warbler shows new dark feathers on sides of breast and new yellow feathers of the crown patch. 31 March 2013. Compare with link below.

 

Link to Yellow-rumped Warbler on 9 February 2013

 

Link to Yellow-rumped Warbler on 27 December 2013