Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Text and Photos by Peter Vankevich
This is one of North America’s most widespread warblers, breeding throughout the continental United States (including part of Alaska) and in parts of all Canadian provinces. Its preferred habitat is low, dense vegetation both in wetlands and dry areas.
The male has a striking black mask that it retains year-round, bright yellow breast, olive upperparts and whitish belly. Females lack the black mask and have olive brown backs, yellow breast and whitish belly. Males have a loud song described as ‘witchety wichety witchety witch that is repeated in sequences of three to five times. Both males and females make a loud chip note that has been described as tchat.
Diet includes, flies, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, dragonflies, moths, butterflies, and caterpillars.
Best Time to see: Spring well into fall. Fewer in winter. The Christmas Bird Count at the end of the year usually records several individuals. .
Where: Throughout the island, among the thickets and dunes where the vegetation is thick..
Listen:
(audio provided courtesy of OhioLINK Digital Resource Commons)
