The yellow warbler is a New World warbler species. Yellow warblers are the most widespread species in the diverse genus Setophaga, breeding in almost the whole of North America, the Caribbean, as well as northern South America.
Region
North America, Caribbean, and northern South America
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across Alaska, Canada, and the contiguous United States, with resident or partially resident populations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. Prefers moist, shrubby habitats such as willow and alder thickets, riparian edges, bog margins, and second-growth woodlands. In tropical zones, it also inhabits coastal mangroves and lowland scrub. During migration and winter it uses a variety of semi-open habitats, hedgerows, and gardens near water.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2600 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow warbler is among the most widespread New World warblers, with breeding populations across much of North America and resident forms in the Caribbean and parts of Central and northern South America. Its song is often remembered as 'sweet-sweet-sweet, I'm so sweet.' Yellow warblers are frequent targets of brown-headed cowbird brood parasitism and sometimes bury parasitized clutches by building a new nest layer on top. They favor shrubby, wet habitats such as willow thickets and mangroves.
Female yellow warbler attending nestlings, Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska (USA)
Male (above) and female yellow warblers foraging in a reedbed, Mill Creek Streamway Park, Kansas (United States)
Yellow warbler nest with small clutch
A breeding pair of yellow warblers. The female (right) is carrying nesting material.
Temperament
active and inquisitive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief, direct flights
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs during breeding and defends small, shrub-dense territories near water. Builds a neat cup nest in forks of shrubs or small trees, often willow. Frequently responds to brood parasitism by cowbirds by adding a new nest layer over the offending egg. Outside the breeding season it forages in small mixed flocks or loose groups.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A bright, sweet series of clear, buzzy notes often rendered as 'sweet-sweet-sweet, I'm so sweet.' Calls include sharp chips and softer seets used in contact and alarm.
Plumage
Bright yellow overall with soft, fine feathering; olive to yellow-olive back and faintly darker wings without bold wing bars.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, midges, beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders. Gleans from leaves and twigs and will sally briefly to catch flying insects. During migration and in winter it occasionally eats berries and other small fruits.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shrubbery, riparian thickets, mangroves, and edges of open woodlands, especially where willows or alders are present. Often feeds in the mid to lower canopy and along dense foliage near water.
