5.25” long. The Palm Warbler has a chestnut cap in breeding plumage. There is a pale yellow eyebrow and throat. It has a strong black eyeline. The more common western form has little or no yellow on the breast and the eastern form has a yellow breast. There are brown streaks on breast. It is olive brown above with yellow undertail coverts and white tail spots. The rump is a dull yellow. Fall adults are very drab with chestnut cap becoming brown with fine streaks. In fall it can be confused with a Yellow-rumped Warbler but a Yellow-rumped Warbler white undertail coverts, streaked underparts, and a brighter yellow rump. The Yellow-rumped Warbler also does not pump its tail.
The Palm Warbler is an uncommon migrant. It is one of the earlier migrating warblers that can be seen in late April through mid May and also September to early October.
The Palm Warbler was formerly called a Redpoll Warbler. It pumps its tail up and down more than any other warbler and often searches for food on ground. The song is a buzzlike fast trill.
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