The yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a New World warbler species. Yellow warblers are the most widespread species in the broad genus Setophaga, breeding in practically the entire of North America, the Caribbean, and down to northern South America.
Quick Overview: Setophaga Petechia – Yellow Warbler
Body size: Around 5 in (13 cm) and a weight of 9 g (0.3 oz).
Main colors: Olive-Yellow, Yellow, Rust-Brown, Olive-Brown
Range: Throughout the United States
Migratory Bird: Yes
Best time of the year to see in the U.S.: June, July, August, September
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Yellow Warbler Description
Small warbler with olive-yellow upperparts and brilliant yellow underparts with rust-brown streaks on breast, sides. Wings are dark. The tail is dark with yellow-tinged margins. The Female lacks stripes on the breast. The Golden group has an olive-brown crown.
Size
These birds have a length of 5 in (13 cm) and a weight of 9 g (0.3 oz). Their wings could range from 7.75 in (20 cm).
Feeding
Yellow Warblers consume largely insects, therefore they don’t come to backyard feeders. Larger yards that have tiny trees or are near streams may provide nesting habitat for these birds.
Habitat
Aptly named, the Yellow Warbler is found over much of North America in environments loosely characterized as damp, deciduous thickets.
Behavior
As usual for members of the Parulidae, yellow warblers nest in trees, creating a small but very robust cup nest. Females and males nurture the young nearly equally, but emphasize distinct tasks: females are more involved with building and maintaining the nest, and incubating and brooding the chicks. Males are more involved in defending the nest site and acquiring food, bringing it to the nest, and delivering it to the waiting mother, which handles most of the actual feeding. As the young approach fledging, the male’s workload grows proportionally higher.
Setophaga Petechia Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Parulidae
- Genus: Setophaga
- Species: Setophaga petechia
Best time of the year to see
The best time to see these birds in the United States is during the summer season (June – September).
Distribution of the Yellow Warbler in the USA
Breeds from Alaska east to Canada to Newfoundland and south to southern California, northern Oklahoma, and northern Georgia. Spends winters in Mexico south to Panama and the tropics.
The Yellow Warbler can be found in the following states in the United States – Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
