Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia)

Yellow warbler./Tom Berriman

General: This colorful warbler is bright yellow with chestnut streaks on its breast. Yellow warblers feed on a variety of insects, including many caterpillars. The species breeds throughout most of North America, in shrubby wetlands, old fields, brushy bottomlands, and young forests. Yellow warblers build their nests 2 to 12 feet above the ground in shrubs, small trees, and briars. During migration, yellow warblers seek out areas with thick, low-growing vegetation, including young forest.

Status: Across much of the species’ range, yellow warblers remain widespread and abundant.

How to Help Yellow Warblers: Make sure streamside and lowland areas are protected from development and overgrazing. Timber harvests that create openings in forest canopies can increase the amount of thick shrubs and other low vegetation that this species used for breeding and feeding.

Both public and private landowners can make young forest habitat. The Young Forest Guide explains how.

Click on the map at left to see a larger image.

For more detailed information on this animal, including references to scientific papers, download Under Cover: Wildlife of Shrublands and Young Forest. This publication can also be purchased from the Wildlife Management Institute.

Visit a habitat demonstration area within this species' range to increase your chances of seeing yellow warblers and other wildlife that use young forest.