Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler, adult male, breeding plumage

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Yellow Warbler, adult female

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

Although many warblers are yellow, the Yellow Warbler is the most extensively yellow of any species. This widespread species of willows and mangroves is the only warbler with yellow tail spots.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Thin pointed bill.
• Yellow overall.
• Chestnut streaks on chest of male.

• Size: 12-13 cm (5-5 in)
• Wingspan: 16-20 cm (6-8 in)
• Weight: 9-11 g (0.32-0.39 ounces)

Sex Differences

Male bright yellow with reddish streaks on chest, female duller with red streaks absent or reduced.

Sound

Variable. Most common song is a rapid musical "sweet-sweet-sweet-I'm-so-sweet."

Conservation Status

Widespread and abundant; no clear continentwide trend in populations. Vulnerable in western areas where riparian habitats are affected by intense grazing and development.

Other Names

Fauvette jaune, Paruline jaune (French)
Chipe amarillo, Verdín amarillo (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• In addition to the migratory form of the Yellow Warbler that breeds in North America, several other resident forms can be found in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Males in these populations can have chestnut caps or even chestnut covering the entire head.

• The nests of the Yellow Warbler are frequently parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird. The warbler often builds a new nest directly on top of the parasitized one, sometimes resulting in nests with up to six tiers.

• Recent DNA-based studies indicate that the Chestnut-sided Warbler is the closest relative of the Yellow Warbler. Both sing similarly phrased songs, and Yellow Warblers regularly sing songs nearly identical to those of the Chestnut-sided Warbler.

Sources used to construct this page:

Lowther, P. E., C. Celada, N. K. Klein, C. C. Rimner, and D. A. Spector. 1999. Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia). In The Birds of North America, No. 454 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.