Yellow Warbler

Description:

ADULT MALE Bright yellow overall, darkest on back and with two subtle pale wing bars. Breast and flanks are marked with bold reddish streaks. ADULT FEMALE Recalls respective regional male, but is more uniformly yellow overall and with little or no streaking below. IMMATURE Recalls adult female with washed out colors; many individuals are olive-gray overall. Length: 4 1/2-5". Song is a whistling swee'swee'swee'swee-swit-su-su; call is a sharp tchup. These birds feed mainly on arthropods, in particular insects. They acquire prey by gleaning in shrubs and on tree branches, and by hawking prey that tries to fly away. Other invertebrates and some berries and similar small juicy fruits are also eaten, the latter especially by Yellow Warblers in their winter quarters. Caterpillars are the staple food for nestlings, with some – e.g. those of geometer moths (Geometridae) – preferred over others.

Habitat:

Common summer visitor (mainly Apr-Aug) to wet thickets (especially willow) and secondary woodland edges. Winters in Central and South America.

Notes:

A beautiful bird!