| The male Yellow warbler has golden yellow plumage with rusty streaks on the breast and flanks. The wings and tail may have a slight greenish tint. The females have plain yellow plumage with breast streaks which are barely noticible or absent altogether. The bill is thin and pointed and the legs are yellowish.
The Yellow warbler travels as far north as the treeline in Alaska and Canada and winters in California, Florida and across Central and South America from about August to April.
Nest construction, which is done almost exclusively by the female begins upon arrival and is composed of grass and weed stems as well as cotton or wool. The nest is usually lined with hair or plant down, like dandelion fuzz.
These beautiful little birds tend to nest in the same location year after year. Typically the nests are located in low brushy or shrubby habitat, along roads and ditches or lakes and streams, but can sometimes be found in orchards or gardens. Like many small birds their nests are commonly parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds. Other nest predators such as snakes, Blue Jays, and squirrels also take their toll on young Yellow Warblers. There diet consists almost exclusively of insects and works tirelessly to devour the insects that attack roses and other plants of economic importance.
Length 5 inches
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