New Hampshire · Summer breeder

Yellow-rumped Warblers in New Hampshire

When yellow-rumped warblers are present in New Hampshire, when they nest, which native New Hampshire plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 3b–6a yard.

Wood-warblers (Parulidae)Yellow-rumped WarblerSetophaga coronata
Status in New Hampshire
Summer breeder
Nesting window
June–July
Broods
1–2 per season
Hardiness zones
USDA 3b–6a

When to expect yellow-rumped warblers in New Hampshire

Yellow-rumped Warblers are summer residents in New Hampshire, arriving shortly before nesting begins in June and leaving after the young are independent. Through the season they feed on caterpillars and flies.

Humid continental, with the White Mountains dividing the southern lowlands from northern forest.

Nesting in New Hampshire

Across New Hampshire, yellow-rumped warblers typically nest from June–July. Nest site: cup on a horizontal conifer branch. Females lay 1–6 eggs, incubate for 12–13 days, and young leave the nest after 10–14 days.

Mild summers; nesting starts late May.

  • Yellow-rumped Warblers don't use nest boxes. Keep dense native shrubs and trees such as eastern red cedar, serviceberry, winterberry for nest sites.
  • Delay heavy pruning of shrubs until after July.

Native New Hampshire plants that attract yellow-rumped warblers

Of the regional native plants we track for New Hampshire, these 8 provide food or cover yellow-rumped warblers use:

Eastern red cedar
Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea · Tree

Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.

Winterberry
Ilex verticillata · Shrub

Deciduous holly holding red fruit into mid-winter.

Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina · Shrub

Fruit clusters persist all winter as emergency food.

Smooth sumac
Rhus glabra · Shrub

Red fruit heads hang on through winter.

White oak
Quercus alba · Tree

Acorns plus hundreds of caterpillar species for nestling food.

Black cherry
Prunus serotina · Tree

Summer fruit and one of the top caterpillar host trees.

American elderberry
Sambucus canadensis · Shrub

Late-summer berry clusters taken by over 40 bird species.

Feeding yellow-rumped warblers through the New Hampshire year

The warbler most likely at a winter feeder; suet and wax myrtle bring them in.

  • Best foods: Suet, Hulled sunflower.
  • In New Hampshire's summer: offer water and insect foods; natural food is abundant.

Full diet breakdown for yellow-rumped warblers · Best feeder for yellow-rumped warblers

Frequently asked

Are yellow-rumped warblers in New Hampshire year-round?

No. Yellow-rumped Warblers are summer breeders in New Hampshire and leave for the winter.

When do yellow-rumped warblers nest in New Hampshire?

Nesting in New Hampshire typically runs June–July, with 1–2 per season. Clutches are 1–6 eggs, incubated for 12–13 days.

What native plants attract yellow-rumped warblers in New Hampshire?

Eastern red cedar, Serviceberry, Winterberry, Staghorn sumac, Smooth sumac, White oak, Black cherry, American elderberry are native plants in New Hampshire that provide food or cover for yellow-rumped warblers.

Yellow-rumped Warblers in other regions

Other backyard birds in New Hampshire

Sources

  1. Yellow-rumped Warbler — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Yellow-rumped Warbler life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Yellow-rumped Warbler — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. eBird region overview and bar charts — New Hampshire
  5. USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
  6. Audubon Native Plants Database

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.