Yellow Warbler

(Dendroica petechia)

LISTEN (Recordist: Tayler Brooks, XC34872. Accessible at Xeno Canto.)

General Description: Bright yellow. Their upper parts and tails have a slight greenish tinge. The heads have no lines or streaks, but male yellow warblers have reddish streaks down their breasts and bellies. Females are less bright and have no red streaks.

Habitat: They use a variety of brushy habitats on forest edges. Breeding habitat is restricted to hardwood thickets near water, especially those with willow, alder, and cottonwood.

Behavior: Primarily monogamous. They forage at various levels in vegetation and can catch prey in midair.  The male has a distinctive song useful in locating them.

Diet: Insects, primarily caterpillars.

Range in North America: In summer, they are found from Northern California to Virginia, and North to Canada and Alaska. The winter range is in the southern states, from Florida to Texas and south to Mexico.

When to See in Washington: Typically found in summer in Western Washington, the Eastern Slopes of the Cascades, and Northeastern Washington.

For detailed information about Yellow Warblers, visit Seattle Audubon’s BirdWeb.