Best Time to See Yellow Rumped Warblers in California
January, December and November is the best time to see yellow rumped warblers in California. Based on 50,928 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when yellow rumped warblers are most active across the year in California.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Audubon's Warbler · Jonathan Eisen CC BY
Yellow-rumped Warbler · Brooke J. CC BY
Yellow-rumped Warbler · Eric Austin CC BY
50,928 verified observations of yellow rumped warblers in California, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When yellow rumped warblers are recorded in California
Peak month
January
8,539 records (16.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 8,539 | 16.8% |
| February | 6,936 | 13.6% |
| March | 6,486 | 12.7% |
| April | 3,154 | 6.2% |
| May | 532 | 1% |
| June | 416 | 0.8% |
| July | 430 | 0.8% |
| August | 421 | 0.8% |
| September | 1,085 | 2.1% |
| October | 6,945 | 13.6% |
| Novemberpeak | 7,788 | 15.3% |
| Decemberpeak | 8,196 | 16.1% |
Yellow Rumped Warblers you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | 50,928 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in California
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when yellow rumped warblers are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for yellow rumped warblers sit around 31 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janbest time | 53°F | 31°F | 5.6" |
| Feb | 53°F | 30°F | 4.4" |
| Mar | 55°F | 33°F | 7.3" |
| Apr | 66°F | 40°F | 1.8" |
| May | 73°F | 46°F | 1.6" |
| Jun | 84°F | 55°F | 0.2" |
| Jul | 94°F | 62°F | 0" |
| Aug | 93°F | 62°F | 0.3" |
| Sep | 85°F | 57°F | 0.8" |
| Oct | 73°F | 46°F | 1.2" |
| Novbest time | 61°F | 36°F | 2.3" |
| Decbest time | 53°F | 33°F | 7.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for California. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of yellow rumped warblers in California peak in January, when 8,539 of the year's 50,928 verified observations are logged — about 16.8% of the annual total. Activity stays high through January, December and November.
The quietest stretch is June, August and July, when yellow rumped warblers are hardest to find — June sees just 416 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The yellow rumped warblers you are most likely to encounter in California are Yellow-rumped Warbler — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see yellow rumped warblers in California
- Alcatraz Island
- Cabrillo National Monument — National Monument
- Channel Islands National Park — National Park
- Death Valley National Park — National Park
- Devils Postpile National Monument — National Monument
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see yellow rumped warblers in California?+
January is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through January, December and November, based on 50,928 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are yellow rumped warblers hardest to see in California?+
June is the quietest month for yellow rumped warblers in California, with only 416 verified records.
Are yellow rumped warblers active year-round in California?+
Yellow rumped warblers are recorded in 12 of 12 months in California, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in January.
More wildlife in California