The warbler that has a yellow head and black throat is the Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica). This medium-sized songbird breeds in the southeastern United States and spends winters in southern Florida, the West Indies, and Central America. The Yellow-throated Warbler stands out among warblers due to its bright yellow throat and breast in contrast to the olive upperparts, white underparts, and black loral area. The yellow throat is brighter in males than females.
Identification
Several key features can help identify the Yellow-throated Warbler:
- Bright yellow throat and breast
- Black loral (cheek) area and eyestripe
- White underparts
- Olive upperparts
- Gray crown
- Pink legs and feet
- Long, pointed bill
The male’s throat is a vivid golden yellow while the female’s is paler. Immature birds lack the bright yellow throat and instead have a pale yellow wash on the breast. The black loral area distinguishes this species from similar ones like the Pine Warbler.
Range and Habitat
The Yellow-throated Warbler breeds in the southeastern United States from southern Missouri east to the Atlantic Coast and south to the Gulf Coast. Its breeding range extends as far north as New Jersey along the Atlantic seaboard. The species winters primarily in southern Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, the Cayman Islands, and along both coasts of Central America down to Panama.
This warbler inhabits forests, especially pine and cypress, but also mixed deciduous woods. It is usually found high up in the canopy. During winter, it occurs in tropical forests, woodlands, shade coffee plantations, and mangroves.
Behavior
The Yellow-throated Warbler is an active, energetic bird that hops quickly along branches high up in trees. It forages for insects by gleaning foliage and twigs as well as sallying out for aerial prey. Its diet consists of caterpillars, beetles, spiders, flies, and other small invertebrates.
Males are early spring arrivals on the breeding grounds, establishing territories through song. Their loud territorial call is described as a sharp “ja-ja-ja-ja-ja.” The species is sometimes called the “olive tree-topper” for its frequent high canopy movements. Males and females cooperate in building an open cup nest on a horizontal branch or fork high up in a pine tree. The female lays 3-5 eggs which she incubates for 12-13 days. The young fledge from the nest about 9-10 days after hatching.
Conservation Status
The Yellow-throated Warbler has a large range and population, estimated globally at 5.5 million breeding birds. Although its numbers declined between 1966-2015, likely due to habitat loss, its population remains relatively robust. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Conclusion
With its bright yellow throat and breast contrasting sharply with black and white patterns, the Yellow-throated Warbler is one of the most recognizable wood-warblers. Its loud territorial “ja-ja-ja” song rings out from high pine canopy perches during the breeding season in the southeastern United States. This species forages actively along branches, favoring pine and cypress forests. While populations have declined in recent decades, conservation measures can help ensure this colorful warbler remains a vital part of southern forest ecosystems.
Fun Facts
- The Yellow-throated Warbler was featured on a U.S. postage stamp in 2018 as part of a migratory bird stamp series.
- These warblers can consume up to 60% of their body weight in insects daily.
- They use spider silk and cocoons when constructing their nests.
- Males perform a flight display, described as a “pendulum arc”, to attract females.
- Their genus name Setophaga means “moth eater.”
Population Status
Here is a table summarizing the population status of the Yellow-throated Warbler:
Population Estimate | Population Trend | Threats & Conservation Issues |
---|---|---|
5.5 million breeding adults | Declining; down 33% from 1966-2015 | Habitat loss, degradation; climate change; collisions |
As the table shows, although still relatively abundant, the Yellow-throated Warbler has declined significantly in recent decades primarily due to habitat loss and degradation. Conservation efforts focused on protecting and restoring southern pine forests may help reverse these declines.
Appearance
The Yellow-throated Warbler is a striking bird with its brightly colored plumage. Here are some more details on its appearance:
Size
- Length: 4.5-5 inches
- Wingspan: 7.5-8.5 inches
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 ounces
Plumage
- Head: Gray crown, bright yellow throat/chin, black stripe through eye and along side of throat
- Upperparts: Olive-green back, wings, and tail
- Underparts: Yellow breast and belly, white undertail coverts
- Bill: Long, pointed, dark
- Legs: Pink
The male’s yellow throat and breast feathers are vivid and unmistakable during breeding season. The female is duller in coloration overall.
Song and Call
The Yellow-throated Warbler has a very distinctive song and call consisting of loud, clear notes:
- Song: A bright, ringing “ja-ja-ja-ja-ja”
- Call: A harsh “chit” or “chip”
The species’ loud, repetitive song carries far through its forest habitat. Both sexes sing, but males do so far more frequently, especially to advertise their territories. The harsh call notes serve as contact calls between mates and during migration.
Preferred Habitat
The Yellow-throated Warbler nests in a variety of forested habitats in the southeastern United States and winters in tropical forests further south:
Breeding Habitat
- Pine forests
- Cypress swamps
- Mixed deciduous and pine woods
- Pine savannas
Prefers mature, open stands of tall pines. Requires trees >60 feet tall for nesting.
Non-breeding Habitat
- Tropical forests
- Mangroves
- Shade-grown coffee plantations
- Scrub
- Woodlands
- Pine forest edges
Occurs at middle canopy heights in dense broadleaf evergreen foliage during winter.
Nesting
Here are some key facts about the Yellow-throated Warbler’s nesting biology:
- Open cup nest built high in pine tree, typically 20-60 feet up
- Nest made of twigs, bark, lichens, lined with plant fibers
- Lays 3-5 eggs
- Eggs white with brown speckles
- Incubated for 12-13 days by female
- Young fledge at 9-10 days old
- May raise 2 broods per season
The female builds the nest with some assistance from the male. Nest sites are typically found on horizontal branches or forks in mature, open pine stands. Both parents feed the nestlings.
Diet
The Yellow-throated Warbler is insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates:
- Caterpillars
- Moths
- Beetles
- Flies
- Spiders
- Treehoppers
- Bees
- Wasps
It forages actively in the upper canopy, gleaning prey items from foliage as well as hawking insects from the air. Yellow-throats help control insect pest populations in pine forests.
Threats and Conservation
Although still relatively common, Yellow-throated Warbler populations have declined significantly since the 1960s. Major threats include:
- Habitat loss: Logging of mature pine forests reduces nesting sites.
- Habitat degradation: Pine silviculture focused on short rotations and dense spacing creates unsuitable habitat.
- Climate change: May cause shifts in range and expansion of insects that damage nest trees.
- Collisions: Collide with towers and tall buildings during migration.
Conservation actions that can benefit the species include:
- Protection of public lands with suitable habitat.
- Sustainable forestry practices in pine regions that maintain mature, open stands.
- Restoration and afforestation focused on native pine species.
- Monitoring populations and habitat quality over time.
Citizens can help by keeping cats indoors, reducing collisions by turning off unnecessary lights at night during migration, and planting native trees and shrubs.
Taxonomy
The Yellow-throated Warbler has the following scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Parulidae
- Genus: Setophaga
- Species: Setophaga dominica
Its closest relatives within the Setophaga genus include the Pine, Kirtland’s, and Prairie warblers. Some taxonomists previously placed the Yellow-throated Warbler in the Dendroica genus.
Fossil Record
There are no known fossil specimens of the Yellow-throated Warbler. This is likely due to the small, fragile nature of songbird bones and the humid forested environments they inhabit, which are not conducive to fossil formation and preservation. However, the warbler’s genus Setophaga and family Parulidae have an extensive fossil record extending back to the early Miocene epoch, approximately 20 million years ago.
Other extinct North American wood-warblers in the same subfamily as the Yellow-throated Warbler have been described from fossils found in mid-late Miocene deposits. These include species such as Dendroica ajugata, Dendroica asymmetrica, and Dendroica antigua which would have shared a common ancestor with today’s Yellow-throated Warbler.
Relationship with Humans
The Yellow-throated Warbler has the following relationships with humans:
Cultural Significance
- Featured in Native American stories and legends of the southeastern U.S.
- Considered an icon of southern pine forests and swamps.
- Bright colors and song provide aesthetic value for birdwatchers.
Economic Value
- Helps control insect pests of pine trees.
- Research and conservation efforts support jobs for ornithologists and wildlife managers.
- Birdwatching tourism provides income for local economies.
Conservation Status
- Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
- Listed as a Species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
- Declining populations warrant increased habitat protection and conservation action.
Overall, while not considered globally threatened, the Yellow-throated Warbler would benefit from expanded public education, sustainable forestry practices, and habitat conservation to reverse population declines.
Comparison with Similar Species
The Yellow-throated Warbler differs from these similar looking species:
Species | Differences |
---|---|
Pine Warbler | Lacks bright yellow throat; has white wing bars; plain gray head |
Prairie Warbler | Yellow on breast but not throat; black streaking on back; no white underparts |
Palm Warbler | Yellow on undertail instead of throat; brown cap; brown streaking below |
The Yellow-throated’s bold black and yellow head pattern makes it distinctive among the yellow-breasted warblers. Taking note of differences like throat color, back streaking, and crown markings helps distinguish it.
References
Here are some references to learn more about the Yellow-throated Warbler:
- BirdLife International. 2022. Species factsheet: Setophaga dominica. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/10/2022.
- Curson, J., D. Quinn and D. Beadle. 1994. Warblers of the Americas: An Identification Guide. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
- Dunn, J. and K. Garrett. 1997. A Field Guide to Warblers of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
- Gill, F. and D. Donsker (Eds). 2022. IOC World Bird List v12.1. DOI 10.14344/IOC.ML.12.1.
- Kaufman, K. 2000. Birds of North America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
These field guides and online resources provide extensive information on identification, range, ecology, and conservation status of the Yellow-throated Warbler.
Conclusion
With its striking black, yellow and white plumage, loud territorial song, and preference for pine treetops, the Yellow-throated Warbler is one of the most distinctive members of the wood-warbler family. Population declines due to habitat loss necessitate expanded conservation action across its breeding range in the southeastern United States. Protecting mature open pine forests and conducting sustainable silviculture will help ensure the continued survival of this ecologically important songbird.