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Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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A skulking masked warbler of wet thickets, the Common Yellowthroat is far more frequently heard than seen. Its "wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty" can be heard from the Yukon to Newfoundland, and from southern Florida to southern Mexico.

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Appearance

Warblers
Warblers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small songbird.
  • Plain olive green back, wings, and tail.
  • Yellow throat and upper chest.
  • Male has distinctive black mask.

Male Description

Back, wings and tail plain olive. Chin, throat, and upper chest bright yellow. Belly whitish. Dusky flanks. Bright yellow undertail coverts. Broad black mask extending from side of neck through the auricular area and from the eye to the forehead. Whitish to grayish line above black mask separating it from the olive crown.

Female Description

Female similar to male, but face olive and underparts paler. Indistinct eyering. May occasionally have faint black mask.

Immature Description

Immature resembles adult female. First year male with faint black mask, becoming fully adult-like by spring.

Range Map Help

Common Yellowthroat Range Map
View dynamic map of eBird sightings

Field MarksHelp

  • Male

    Common Yellowthroat

    Male
    • © Isidor Jeklin / CLO
  • Female

    Common Yellowthroat

    Female
    • © Kevin T. Karlson

Similar Species

  • Female resembles female Connecticut and Mourning warblers, except they have dusky or grayish hoods and entirely yellow underparts.