The common yellowthroat is a New World warbler. It is an abundant breeder in North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico. In the northern parts of its range the birds are migratory, wintering in the southern parts of the breeding range, Central America and the West Indies. Southern forms are largely resident. Historically, it has also known as the "yellow bandit", Maryland yellow-throat, and yellow-breasted warbler.
Region
North America and the Caribbean
Typical Environment
Breeds widely from southern Canada through most of the United States into parts of northern and central Mexico. Winters across the southern U.S., Mexico, Central America, and many Caribbean islands. Prefers habitats with dense, low cover such as cattail marshes, wet meadows, riparian thickets, and brushy fields. Often stays within a meter or two of the ground or water, weaving through vegetation to forage. Uses scrubby hedgerows and secondary growth during migration.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males are easily recognized by their bold black mask and bright yellow throat, earning the nickname 'yellow bandit.' They favor dense, low vegetation and often skulk out of sight, popping up to sing a distinctive 'witchety-witchety' song. Northern populations migrate to spend winters in the southern U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. They readily colonize regenerating wetlands and brushy edges created by disturbance.
Common yellowthroat (as "Yellow-breasted Warbler") in The Birds of America by J. J. Audubon
Singing male yellowthroat
Temperament
active but secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low bounding flights
Social Behavior
Breeds in solitary pairs, with males vigorously defending small territories through song and chase. Nest is a well-concealed cup placed low in dense vegetation, often near the ground or over water; typical clutch is 3–5 eggs. Both parents feed nestlings, and brood parasitism by cowbirds is occasionally encountered.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Male delivers a bright, repetitive 'witchety-witchety-witchety' that varies in rhythm and pitch across regions. Calls include sharp 'tchk' chips and soft contact notes. Song rate increases during territory establishment and courtship.
Plumage
Male has olive upperparts, bright yellow throat and breast, and a bold black facial mask edged with whitish-gray; underparts yellow grading to whitish belly. Female is olive-brown above with a yellow throat and breast wash, lacking the black mask and with plainer facial features. Both sexes have soft, smooth plumage suited to moving silently through dense cover.
Diet
Primarily eats insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, flies, wasps, ants, aphids, and spiders. Occasionally takes small snails and other invertebrates. Will opportunistically consume a few seeds or small berries, especially in winter. Forages by gleaning from leaves and stems, hover-gleaning, and short sallies to snatch prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense, low vegetation of marshes, cattails, sedges, willow and alder thickets, and overgrown fields. Often works edges of water and brushy margins where prey is plentiful. Stays close to cover, moving methodically through tangles and reed beds.
