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Yellow Warbler

Dendroica petechia ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Yellow Warbler Photo

© Michael J. Hopiak / CLO

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.

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Appearance

Warblers
Warblers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

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

Male Description

Face, throat, and underparts bright yellow. Streaked with chestnut below throat. Upperparts yellow-green to olive. Wings edged in yellow. Yellow tail spots.

Female Description

Underparts bright yellow. Back and most of face greenish-yellow. Indistinct yellow eyering. Narrow and indistinct chestnut streaks on breast, sides, and flanks. Yellow tail spots.

Immature Description

Immatures similar to adult female, but paler and duller, usually without chestnut chest streaks. Yellow tail spots reduced.

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Yellow Warbler Range Map
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Similar Species

  • Palm Warbler is only other warbler with red streaks on chest, and it has a rusty cap and a dark eyestripe.
  • Orange-crowned Warbler has dark eyeline and pale eye crescents, no yellow on edge of wing feathers, and no tail spots.
  • Female and immature Yellow Warblers easily confused with female and immature Hooded and Wilson's warblers; all have plain yellow face and entirely yellow underparts. Neither has yellow edging to wing feathers or yellow tail spots.
  • Yellow Warbler may sing songs that are nearly identical to those of Chestnut-sided Warbler.