Common Yellowthroat —Ross Feldner

This is the secret agent of the warbler family staying mostly out of sight in low vegetation and reeds. Recently while on a hike for Father’s Day, my wife and I heard them repeatedly, but no sightings. Drat! They really stay “undercover.”

Its nesting behavior is secretive as well. The nests are built on or near the ground and The Common Yellowthroat parent have a sneaky method of feeding their chicks. They will land in the thickest brush near the nest and furtively move to the nest, feed the chicks and then leave by a completely different route.

They are widespread across America and you will usually find them near marshy areas with thick vegetation for cover singing their distinctive "witchity-witchity-witchity" song.

The biggest threats to these perky little birds are glass collisions, climate change and habitat loss.

Common Yellow
Fun Facts

There are 13 recognized subspecies.

Males display in flight.

The Common Yellowhroat was initially dubbed the Maryland Yellowthroat, since it was first found in that state in 1766.

In some areas of the Midwest they are known as the “yellow bandit.”

They will cock their tail much like wrens.

Migration is at night like most warblers.

Common Yellowthroats feed mostly on  insects, spiders and larvae.

The female arrives at the breeding grounds about a week later than the males.

Sometimes a Common Yellowthroat nest has a roof, like the nest of an Ovenbird.

Click here to hear the Common Yellowthroat’s “witchity” call.

Click here to watch one singing while taking a bath.

 

Rachel Carson Council
8600 Irvington Avenue  | Bethesda, Maryland 20817-3604
(301) 214-2400 | office@rachelcarsoncouncil.org

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