The buff-rumped warbler is a New World warbler that is resident from Honduras south to northwestern Peru and disjunctly in the western Amazon. It is found in forests at up to 1500 m altitude, always near water.
Region
Central America and Western Amazonia
Typical Environment
Occurs from Honduras south through Panama and the Andes’ foothills of Colombia and Ecuador to northwestern Peru, with disjunct populations in the western Amazon basin. It is strongly tied to forested streams and rivers in lowlands and foothills. The species frequents shaded banks, boulder-strewn creeks, and riparian thickets in primary and secondary rainforest. It also uses narrow gallery forests and forest edges so long as flowing water is present. Human-disturbed riparian corridors with intact cover may be used.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This streamside warbler constantly wags and fans its tail, flashing the diagnostic buff rump for which it is named. It builds a domed or cup-shaped nest near the ground, often tucked into stream banks, roots, or dense understory. Pairs defend linear territories along forested watercourses and remain year-round in suitable habitat.
sub-species M. f. leucopygia
Temperament
wary but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low along streams
Social Behavior
Usually found in pairs or small family groups holding linear territories along watercourses. Nests are placed low, often on banks, among roots, or in dense vegetation near flowing water. Monogamous pairs maintain year-round territories and may raise multiple broods where conditions allow.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a clear, ringing series of whistles and trills delivered from low perches near streams. Calls include sharp chips and short metallic notes used for contact between pair members. Vocalizations carry well over the sound of running water.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a gray-washed head, clean whitish throat and belly, and buff wash on the rump and upper tail coverts. The tail is dark with a prominent buff base and is often flicked, accentuating the rump color. Underparts are otherwise pale with subtle buffy sides; wings lack strong wingbars.
Diet
Primarily consumes insects and other small arthropods such as beetles, ants, flies, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaf litter, streamside rocks, wet logs, and low vegetation. It will also snatch emerging aquatic insects from the water’s edge and probe crevices along banks.
Preferred Environment
Forages along shaded forest streams, on boulders, mud and sand bars, and among roots and fallen branches. Often feeds at the very edge of flowing water, moving methodically along linear riparian corridors.
