Yellow birds of pennsylvania (id guide with pictures)
Pennsylvania is a birdwatcher’s paradise, especially for those who love the bright and cheerful colors of yellow birds. From the sunny American Goldfinch to the elusive Hooded Warbler, these feathered wonders bring life and energy to the state’s forests, fields, and backyards. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, this guide will introduce you to the stunning yellow birds of PA, their unique traits, and how you can spot them in the wild. Let’s dive into the world of these beautiful birds and discover what makes them so special!
Yellow birds are not just a treat for the eyes; they also play important roles in the ecosystem. They help control insect populations, pollinate plants, and spread seeds. In this article, we’ll explore 17 yellow birds you can find in Pennsylvania, complete with their scientific names, sizes, weights, lifespans, and diets. By the end, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for these winged wonders and maybe even be inspired to grab your binoculars and head outdoors!
1. American Goldfinch
- Scientific Name: Spinus tristis
- Size: 4.3–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.4–0.7 ounces
- Lifespan: 3–6 years
- Diet: Seeds, especially from sunflowers and thistles
The American Goldfinch is one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved yellow birds. With its bright yellow feathers and cheerful song, it’s a favorite among birdwatchers. These small birds are often seen flitting around fields and backyard feeders, especially in the summer months. Did you know that the male American Goldfinch turns a duller color in the winter? This seasonal change helps them blend in with their surroundings.
American Goldfinches are social birds that often travel in flocks. They love to feed on seeds, making them frequent visitors to bird feeders. If you want to attract them to your yard, try offering sunflower seeds or nyjer seeds. Their lively presence and vibrant colors make them a joy to watch!
2. Common Yellowthroat
- Scientific Name: Geothlypis trichas
- Size: 4.3–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects, spiders, and small berries
The Common Yellowthroat is a small, energetic warbler with a bright yellow throat and chest. Males have a distinctive black mask across their eyes, making them easy to identify. These birds are often found in marshes, wetlands, and dense thickets, where they dart through the vegetation in search of food.
Common Yellowthroats are known for their unique song, which sounds like “wichity-wichity-wichity.” They are insectivores, meaning they primarily eat insects and spiders. If you’re exploring a wetland area in Pennsylvania, keep an ear out for their song and an eye out for their quick movements!
3. Cedar Waxwing
- Scientific Name: Bombycilla cedrorum
- Size: 6–7 inches
- Weight: 1–1.2 ounces
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
- Diet: Fruits, berries, and insects
The Cedar Waxwing is a sleek, elegant bird with a yellowish belly and a distinctive black mask. These birds are often seen in flocks, feasting on berries and fruits. They are social creatures and can sometimes be spotted passing berries to one another in a playful manner.
Cedar Waxwings are a delight to watch, especially during the summer and fall when they are most active. They are often found in wooded areas, orchards, and gardens. If you have fruit-bearing trees or shrubs in your yard, you might just attract a flock of these beautiful birds!
4. Baltimore Oriole Female
- Scientific Name: Icterus galbula
- Size: 7–8 inches
- Weight: 1–1.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 6–8 years
- Diet: Insects, fruits, and nectar
The female Baltimore Oriole may not be as brightly colored as the male, but she still has a lovely yellowish-orange hue. These birds are known for their intricate, hanging nests and their love of sweet foods like nectar and fruit. They are often found in open woodlands, parks, and backyards.
Baltimore Orioles are a sign of spring in Pennsylvania. If you want to attract them, try offering orange slices or sugar water in a special oriole feeder. Their beautiful songs and striking appearance make them a favorite among bird enthusiasts.
5. Yellow Warble
- Scientific Name: Setophaga petechia
- Size: 4.7–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects, caterpillars, and spiders
The Yellow Warbler is a small, all-yellow bird with a sweet, melodic song. These warblers are often found in riparian areas, wetlands, and shrubby habitats. They are insectivores, meaning they feed on insects and caterpillars, making them important for controlling pest populations.
Yellow birds of Pennsylvania are a joy to watch as they flit through the trees and shrubs. Their bright yellow plumage and cheerful songs make them a highlight of any birdwatching trip. If you’re near a wetland or stream in Pennsylvania, keep an eye out for these little gems!
6. Yellow-rumped Warbler
- Scientific Name: Setophaga coronata
- Size: 4.7–5.5 inches
- Weight: 0.4–0.5 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects, berries, and seeds
The Yellow-rumped Warbler is a versatile bird that can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to urban areas. They are named for the bright yellow patch on their rump, which is visible when they fly. These warblers are known for their ability to digest wax-coated berries, making them adaptable to different food sources.
Yellow-rumped Warblers are a common sight in Pennsylvania, especially during migration seasons. Their adaptability and striking appearance make them a favorite among birdwatchers
7. American Redstart Female
- Scientific Name: Setophaga ruticilla
- Size: 4.3–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.2–0.3 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–5 years
- Diet: Insects and spiders
The female American Redstart may not have the bold black and orange colors of the male, but she still has a beautiful yellow and gray plumage. These birds are known for their active behavior, often fanning their tails and flitting through the trees in search of insects.
American Redstarts are a delight to watch, especially in wooded areas and forests. Their energetic movements and striking colors make them a highlight of any birdwatching adventure.
8. Scarlet Tanager Female
- Scientific Name: Piranga olivacea
- Size: 6.3–7.5 inches
- Weight: 0.8–1.3 ounces
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
- Diet: Insects, fruits, and berries
The female Scarlet Tanager may not be as brightly colored as the male, but she still has a lovely yellowish-green hue. These birds are often found in mature forests, where they forage for insects and fruits. Their sweet, robin-like song is a treat to hear.
Scarlet Tanagers are a sign of healthy forests in Pennsylvania. If you’re exploring a wooded area, keep an ear out for their song and an eye out for their vibrant colors.
9. Black-throated Green Warbler
- Scientific Name: Setophaga virens
- Size: 4.7–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects and spiders
The Black-throated Green Warbler is a small, striking bird with a yellow face and a black throat. These warblers are often found in coniferous forests, where they forage for insects and spiders. Their high-pitched song is a hallmark of the forest.
Black-throated Green Warblers are a joy to watch, especially in the dense forests of Pennsylvania. Their bright colors and melodic songs make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
10. Magnolia Warbler
- Scientific Name: Setophaga magnolia
- Size: 4.3–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects and spiders
The Magnolia Warbler is a small, colorful bird with a yellow chest and a distinctive black necklace. These warblers are often found in mixed forests, where they forage for insects and spiders. Their sweet, high-pitched song is a treat to hear.
Magnolia Warblers are a common sight in Pennsylvania, especially during migration seasons. Their bright colors and active behavior make them a highlight of any birdwatching trip.
11. Palm Warbler
- Scientific Name: Setophaga palmarum
- Size: 4.7–5.5 inches
- Weight: 0.4–0.5 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects, berries, and seeds
The Palm Warbler is a small, energetic bird with a yellow underside and a rusty cap. These warblers are often found in open areas, such as fields and marshes, where they forage for insects and seeds. Their constant tail-wagging behavior is a distinctive trait.
Palm Warblers are a common sight in Pennsylvania, especially during migration seasons. Their active behavior and striking colors make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
12. Hooded Warbler
- Scientific Name: Setophaga citrina
- Size: 4.7–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects and spiders
The Hooded Warbler is a small Yellow birds of Pennsylvania, striking bird with a yellow face and a black hood. These warblers are often found in dense forests, where they forage for insects and spiders. Their sweet, high-pitched song is a treat to hear.
Hooded Warblers are a joy to watch, especially in the dense forests of Pennsylvania. Their bright colors and melodic songs make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
13. Eastern Meadowlark
- Scientific Name: Sturnella magna
- Size: 7.5–10 inches
- Weight: 3–5 ounces
- Lifespan: 5–8 years
- Diet: Insects, seeds, and grains
The Eastern Meadowlark is a medium-sized bird with a bright yellow chest and a distinctive black “V” on its throat. These birds are often found in open grasslands and meadows, where they forage for insects and seeds. Their flute-like song is a hallmark of the countryside.
Eastern Meadowlarks are a common sight in Pennsylvania, especially in rural areas. Their striking colors and beautiful songs make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
14. Orchard Oriole Female
- Scientific Name: Icterus spurius
- Size: 6–7 inches
- Weight: 0.6–1 ounce
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
- Diet: Insects, fruits, and nectar
The female Orchard Oriole may not be as brightly colored as the male, but she still has a lovely yellowish-green hue. These birds are often found in orchards, open woodlands, and gardens, where they forage for insects and fruits. Their sweet, melodic song is a treat to hear.
Orchard Orioles Yellow birds are a sign of spring in Pennsylvania. To attract them, try offering fruit or sugar water in a unique oriole feeder. Their beautiful songs and striking appearance make them a favourite among bird enthusiasts.
15. Pine Warbler
- Scientific Name: Setophaga pinus
- Size: 4.7–5.5 inches
- Weight: 0.4–0.5 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects, seeds, and berries
The Pine Warbler is a small Yellow birds of pennsylvania, yellowish bird that is often found in pine forests. These warblers are known for their sweet, trilling song and their ability to forage for insects and seeds in the treetops. Their bright colors and active behavior make them a joy to watch.
Pine Warblers are a common sight in Pennsylvania, especially in coniferous forests. Their bright colors and melodic songs make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
16. Yellow-throated Vireo
- Scientific Name: Vireo flavifrons
- Size: 5–6 inches
- Weight: 0.5–0.7 ounces
- Lifespan: 5–7 years
- Diet: Insects and berries
The Yellow-throated Vireo is a small, striking bird with a bright yellow throat and chest. These vireos are often found in deciduous forests, where they forage for insects and berries. Their sweet, melodic song is a treat to hear.
Yellow-throated Vireos are a joy to watch, especially in the forests of Pennsylvania. Their bright colors and beautiful songs make them a favorite among birdwatchers.
17. Blue-winged Warbler
- Scientific Name: Vermivora cyanoptera
- Size: 4.3–5.1 inches
- Weight: 0.3–0.4 ounces
- Lifespan: 4–6 years
- Diet: Insects and spiders
The Blue-winged Warbler is a small Yellow bird of Pennsylvania. It is colourful, with a bright yellow chest and blue-grey wings. These warblers are often found in shrubby areas and young forests, where they forage for insects and spiders. Their sweet, buzzy song is a treat to hear.
Blue-winged Warblers are a common sight in Pennsylvania, especially during migration seasons. Their bright colors and active behavior make them a highlight of any birdwatching trip.
Conclusion
Birdwatching in PA is a true treasure, adding colour and life to the state’s diverse landscapes. Whether you’re exploring a forest, meadow, or your own backyard, keep an eye out for these vibrant species. By learning about their habits and habitats, you can deepen your appreciation for these winged wonders and contribute to their conservation. Happy birdwatching!
