Yellow Warbler

Setophaga petechia

Morphology 3

Yellow warblers are easily recognized. They are the most extensively yellow of warblers, with golden yellow plumage and rusty streaks on the breast. Yellow warbler males and females are similar with golden yellow upper parts tinged with olive, yellow under parts, and thin pointed beaks. Males are generally brighter, especially during the breeding season. Yellow warblers reach an average size of 10 to 18 cm in length (Perrins and Middleton 1985; The Otter Side 2000).

Behaviour 4

Yellow warbler calls include notes given by young begging for food, by birds responding to the presence of predators, and in diverse social encounters. A "hiss" call has been described as being used in territorial defense. There are several calls used in the context of nest defense, including a "Seet" call that may be somewhat specialized for use in response to threats from parastic cowbids.  Singing behavior is used for male-female communication, both for mate attraction and for interactions between mates. Songs are sung primarily by males. Females often give simple, high frequency "chip" calls at the end of a male song.  No nonvocal sounds are thought to be used in communication. Yellow warblers also communicate with postures and perhaps with touch. Yellow warblers perceive their environment with their keen vision, hearing, touch, and limited chemical sensation.

Habitat 5

Dendroica petechia prefers moist habitats with high insect abundance. The presence of willows is one common feature of yellow warbler habitat north of Mexico. South of Mexico mangroves are a dominant feature. Habitats include the edges of marshes and swamps, willow-lined streams, and leafy bogs. Dendroica petechia also inhabits dry areas such as thickets, orchards, farmlands, forest edges, and suburban yards and gardens. They seem to prefer areas of scattered trees, dense shrubbery, and any other moist, shady areas (Nuttall and Chamberlin, 1971; USGS, 2000).

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Kelly Colgan Azar, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/puttefin/6796564072/
  2. (c) *derivative work: Snowmanradio *Yellow_Warbler_(Dendroica_petechia)_-Santa_Cruz_-Puerto_Ayorto.jpg: putneymark, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Yellow_Warbler_%28Dendroica_petechia%29_-Santa_Cruz_-Puerto_Ayorto_c.jpg/460px-Yellow_Warbler_%28Dendroica_petechia%29_-Santa_Cruz_-Puerto_Ayorto_c.jpg
  3. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31390448
  4. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31390451
  5. (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31390447

More Info

Range Map

iNaturalist.ca Map

Bird New World Warblers (Parulidae)
Animal Bird
Color grey, yellow