Taxonomy/Description
Yellow
Warblers are passerines in the family Parulidae which consists of other New
World Warblers. The Yellow
Warbler is easily recognized because it is an all yellow bird. The males
have red streaks on the chest where females lack this trait. Both sexes have
a yellow face. Yellow Warblers have a greenish tail and wings
with yellow feathers on the edges. Males are
usually brighter especially during breeding season. They are an average size
of 10 to 18cm and weigh 9-11 grams.
photo Ivan Andrijevic
Habitat/Diet
Yellow
Warblers spend the breeding season in most of the United States and Canada.
They winter in Central and South America. The Yellow
Warbler prefers bushes, swamp edges, streams and gardens with a high number
of insects. This warbler primarily feeds on insects but will occasionally
eat berries.
photo Michael Noonan
Behavior/Reproduction
The Yellow
Warbler is a song bird and both males and females will engage in song. During
the breeding season, Yellow Warblers are extremely territorial but will
rejoin flocks after breeding. These warblers are active during the day.
The Yellow
Warbler is primarily monogamous but there are occasional polygynous matings
(having more than one female as a mate at one time). The male attracts
females by his song and can sing over 3,000 songs a day to attract a mate.
There is generally only one brood a year but if the first is unsuccessful,
they will breed again. The Yellow Warblers lay 4 to 5 eggs in a cup nest
built by the female. Only the female will incubate the eggs which lasts for
11-12 days. The female and male will both raise the young. The young leave
the nest 9-12 days after hatching. The
Yellow Warbler is migratory and will winter from Mexico to Peru.
Where to see them in WNY
Yellow
Warblers are one of the most commonly seen species of warbler in Western New
York owing to their use of a wide range of habitat and their bright color.
Virtually any wooded or partially wood area during the summer may contain Yellow Warblers.
