Yellow Warbler Bird

1. Bird Name:
English name: Yellow Warbler
Scientific (Latin) name: Setophaga petechia

2. Appearance:
The Yellow Warbler lives up to its name with vibrant yellow coloring across its full body. The adult male bird is entirely yellow, with vivid, rusty-orange streaks dotting his under parts. This streaking sets him apart from the female, which is plain, mimosa yellow. The petite beak is sharp and well-adapted to pick insects from leaves. Their eyes, dark and beady, provide excellent vision necessary for their insect-foraging lifestyle. The feathers of this bird species are smooth and glossy; the slight greenish tinge on their backs helps the colorful bird to merge into foliage.

3. Size:
The adult Yellow Warbler typically measures between 11-13 cm in length, with a wingspan that averages around 18-22 cm. The bird is feather-light with an average weight range between 7 to 9 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution:
Yellow Warblers are found across North, Central and South America, spanning a vast range from Alaska to Peru. They favor riparian zones, willow thickets, shrublands, wetlands and even gardens. It adapts easily to different habitats, thus explaining its wide distribution.

5. Interesting Facts:
Yellow Warblers undertake impressive migrations between their breeding and wintering areas, with some birds journeying to north-south distances of up to 6,000 miles. In a unique behavioural trait, Yellow Warblers, when threatened by Brown-headed Cowbirds, won’t desert their nest. Instead, they construct a new layer over the parasitized one and continue to live there.

6. Diet:
Having an insectivorous feeding habit, Yellow Warblers primarily feed on insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and gnats. They are also known to consume berries and nectar on occasion.

7. Behavior & Sounds:
Yellow Warblers build compact, cup-shaped nests, usually in high, concealed sections of trees or shrubs. The birds song is a pleasant series of clear, sweet notes. The call is a sharp “chip”, which is typically sounded when the bird feels threatened.

8. Conservation Status:
The Yellow Warbler has an ‘Least Concern’ status according to IUCN Red List, due to their relatively wide distribution and large population. However, habitat loss still remains a significant threat to these birds.

9. Lifespan:
In the wild, Yellow Warblers typically live up to a maximum of 10 years. However, due to predation and other challenges, the average lifespan is closer to 2 years.

10. Additional Notes:
This bird is also known locally as ‘Canario del Manglar’ in parts of Latin America. While they usually shy away from humans, they play a significant role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations. Moreover, their vibrant appearance and beautiful song make them a joy to birdwatchers and a lovely addition to any Eco tourism tour.