12 Yellow Birds in Alabama You’ve Likely Spotted Before

Some of the most striking yellow birds you can see in Alabama are the American goldfinch, pine warbler, and eastern meadowlark, joined in spring and summer by vibrant species like the prothonotary warbler, yellow-breasted chat, and yellow-throated vireo. These yellow and yellow-tinged songbirds brighten forests, fields, and wetlands across the state, standing out among Alabama’s most eye-catching birds.

This guide features birds that are yellow or appear yellow in certain light or angle, outlining how to identify them by plumage, behavior, voice, and habitat. Each entry notes where and when they occur in Alabama, from pine forests and wetlands to open fields and gardens, and highlights species that show yellow only in one sex or season.

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

• Identification: Small, compact finch with a short conical bill, notched tail, and pointed wings; breeding males bright lemon-yellow with a black cap and wings, females and winter birds olive-yellow or brownish.
• Where found: Year-round in northern Alabama; common across the state in winter, spring, and fall, favoring open fields, brushy edges, and areas with thistles or feeders.
• How to spot: Look for loose flocks flying in bouncy, undulating patterns while calling their cheerful “po-ta-to-chip;” often perches or feeds acrobatically on seed heads and feeders.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable in Alabama though modest long-term declines observed regionally from habitat loss and herbicide use.

The American goldfinch is one of Alabama’s brightest and most familiar yellow birds, often seen flitting over weedy fields or visiting backyard feeders through much of the year. Measuring 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length, this small finch has a compact body, short conical bill, and sharply notched tail. Breeding males are vivid lemon-yellow with a black forehead, black wings and tail marked with white, and an orange bill. Females are duller olive-yellow with brownish wings, while winter birds of both sexes appear drab olive-brown with buffy wingbars.

Goldfinches are agile and social, usually traveling in small, loose flocks. Their flight is distinctive and easily recognized: a bounding, wave-like motion of rapid wingbeats followed by gliding dips, each punctuated by their characteristic “po-ta-to-chip” call. They feed almost exclusively on seeds, especially thistles, sunflowers, and asters, and often cling to seed heads or feeder perches, sometimes hanging upside down to reach their food. Even their nestlings are fed a nearly all-seed diet, an unusual trait among songbirds. Males perform graceful, looping “butterfly flights” accompanied by musical warbling during courtship, while pairs communicate constantly with soft contact calls.

In Alabama, the American goldfinch is widespread and fairly common in most regions. It breeds regularly in the Tennessee Valley and northern uplands, remaining abundant year-round. Farther south, it is common through fall, winter, and spring across the inland and Gulf Coastal Plains, becoming scarcer in midsummer. Preferred habitats include open woodlands, weedy fields, roadsides, and suburban gardens, especially those rich in native composites such as thistles and milkweed. Backyard feeders stocked with nyjer or sunflower seeds attract large flocks in winter. The species remains secure across the state, although the loss of weedy field margins and heavy herbicide use can locally reduce food availability and nesting cover.

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

• Identification: Medium-sized warbler with olive upperparts, yellow throat and breast, whitish belly, and two bold white wingbars; males brighter yellow, females duller olive or gray-brown.
• Where found: Common year-round throughout Alabama in pine forests, mixed woodlands, and areas with scattered pines.
• How to spot: Listen for its steady, musical trill echoing through pine canopies; often forages high among needles or visits feeders for seeds and suet in winter.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable or increasing, benefiting from extensive pine habitats across the Southeast.

The pine warbler is one of Alabama’s most characteristic yellow birds and the only warbler that regularly remains in the state through winter. Measuring 13 to 14 centimeters (5.1 to 5.5 inches) in length, it is a sturdy, long-tailed warbler with a relatively thick bill suited for seed-eating. Adult males are olive-green above with bright yellow throat and breast, whitish belly, and two crisp white wingbars. Females and immatures are duller, grayish-olive or brownish above and pale yellow or buff below, sometimes appearing almost gray. This species shows little seasonal change in plumage, though colors become brighter and cleaner by spring.

Behaviorally, the pine warbler is deliberate yet active, hopping and climbing along pine branches and occasionally descending trunks in short, careful movements. It frequently pumps its tail, though not as constantly as the prairie or palm warblers. Its song is a clear, even trill of 10-30 notes, musical and steady, often confused with the songs of the chipping sparrow or dark-eyed junco, but softer and more melodic. Males sing persistently from high perches to mark territories or attract mates, and their trills can carry far across a quiet pine forest. Unlike most warblers, pine warblers also feed on seeds, berries, and suet, especially in winter, when they often visit bird feeders.

In Alabama, the pine warbler is a common resident across all regions – from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast, occupying pine forests, mixed pine-hardwood stands, and suburban groves with mature pines. Migrants from farther north join local populations each winter, forming loose flocks that sometimes number dozens of individuals. The species remains most abundant in open pinewoods and along edges where sunlight supports insect-rich vegetation. It readily adapts to managed pine plantations and urban areas with scattered trees. While logging and fire suppression have altered parts of its natural habitat, pine warblers continue to thrive, aided by replanting of pines and their flexible feeding habits.

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

• Identification: Medium-sized, ground-dwelling songbird with a long pointed bill, short tail, and bright yellow underparts marked by a bold black “V” across the chest; upperparts streaked brown and buff with white outer tail feathers visible in flight.
• Where found: Common year-round across Alabama in open country, pastures, hayfields, and grasslands, where it nests and forages on the ground.
• How to spot: Look for bright yellow males singing flute-like whistles from fenceposts or utility lines; flight is low and fluttering with short glides.
• Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN); populations declining due to habitat loss and modern agricultural practices, though still locally common in Alabama.

The eastern meadowlark is one of Alabama’s most familiar open-country songbirds and a classic voice of rural farmland. Measuring 19 to 26 centimeters (7.5 to 10.2 inches) in length, it is a stout, short-tailed bird with a long, sharp bill and long legs adapted for walking through grass. When seen perched, it displays brilliant yellow underparts crossed by a bold black “V” on the chest, contrasting with intricately streaked brown and buff upperparts that blend into dry fields. A pale stripe runs over the eye, and the outer tail feathers flash white in flight. Males and females look similar, though females are slightly smaller and duller.

Eastern meadowlarks spend most of their time on the ground, walking or running through grasses as they probe for insects and seeds. Their flight alternates between rapid wingbeats and short glides, usually just above the field surface. Males sing from exposed perches – fenceposts, power lines, or isolated shrubs, filling the countryside with a series of rich, whistled notes that descend in pitch. The song carries widely and can vary from male to male, sometimes including over a hundred distinct variations. Their alarm call is a sharp “dzert,” while their flight call is a soft “weet.” During winter, meadowlarks form loose flocks that feed together in open fields.

In Alabama, eastern meadowlarks are common residents in all regions and seasons, though local abundance depends on the availability of open grassland. They favor pastures, hayfields, airport margins, and lightly grazed farmlands, often nesting at the base of grass tussocks or beneath clumps of weeds. Populations are highest in the Tennessee Valley and inland plains, where extensive pastureland remains. However, numbers have declined statewide with the conversion of small farms to row-crop agriculture, early mowing of hayfields, and pesticide use that reduces insect prey. The species remains locally common, but long-term trends across North America show steep declines, making grassland conservation and delayed mowing practices vital to sustaining meadowlarks in the state’s agricultural landscapes.

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

• Identification: Small, compact warbler with olive upperparts and bright yellow throat and breast; males have a bold black mask bordered by whitish or gray, females lack the mask and are duller yellow-brown.
• Where found: Common breeder across Alabama in spring through fall, favoring shrubby wetlands, thickets, and marshy edges; winters mainly along the Gulf Coast.
• How to spot: Listen for the male’s rolling “wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty” song; look low in dense vegetation for quick, darting movements and flashes of yellow.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable in Alabama though declining slightly across North America due to habitat loss and wetland degradation.

The common yellowthroat is one of the state’s most abundant and widespread warblers, easily recognized by the male’s black facial mask and vivid yellow underparts. Measuring 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length, it is a small, chunky warbler with a rounded head, short tail, and sturdy appearance. Adult males have bright yellow throat and breast, olive upperparts, and a striking black “bandit’s mask” separated from the crown by a narrow whitish or gray border. Females and immatures are plainer, olive-brown above and pale yellow below, with only a faint suggestion of a mask in young males.

Common yellowthroats are active and vocal but often stay hidden in dense vegetation. They hop and flit through low shrubs and grasses, occasionally perching briefly in the open to sing their rolling “wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty” song – a sound that instantly identifies them even when unseen. Both sexes utter sharp “chit” or “tchat” notes when alarmed, and the males’ repetitive chatter calls can signal territorial aggression. They feed mainly on small insects and spiders, gleaned from leaves and stems or caught in short flights, and will sometimes hover briefly to seize prey. During migration, yellowthroats are among the most frequently encountered warblers in Alabama’s fields and woodland edges, occasionally joining mixed-species flocks.

In Alabama, the common yellowthroat breeds statewide from April through late summer and is a familiar sight in marshes, wet meadows, hedgerows, and thickets along forest edges. It remains common in spring, summer, and fall across all regions, wintering regularly along the Gulf Coast and less often inland or in the Tennessee Valley. The species is sensitive to loss of low, dense vegetation and wetland drainage, but it benefits from natural and restored marshes, weedy fields, and riparian corridors. Despite modest declines elsewhere in North America, Alabama’s populations remain stable, making this bright, inquisitive warbler one of the state’s most reliably observed yellow birds.

White-Eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

• Identification: Small, compact vireo with grayish-olive upperparts, white throat and chest, bright yellow sides, and two white wingbars; named for its pale white eyes ringed by yellow “spectacles.”
• Where found: Common across Alabama from spring through fall, inhabiting thickets, regenerating woodlands, and streamside scrub; winters mainly along the Gulf Coast.
• How to spot: Listen for its sharp, energetic song of short, emphatic phrases; look for quick movements deep within dense foliage or brief glimpses of a yellow-spectacled face.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable or slightly increasing, benefiting from second-growth and edge habitats across the Southeast.

The white-eyed vireo is a small but vocal bird that fills Alabama’s thickets and woodland edges with its lively song through the warmer months. Measuring 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length, it is compact and thick-necked, with a slightly hooked bill typical of vireos. Adults have grayish-olive upperparts, yellow-washed sides and flanks, and white underparts. A yellow line extends around the bright white eye, giving the bird its “spectacled” appearance. Two white wingbars and greenish edging on the wings and tail complete the pattern.

This vireo is renowned for its bold, rhythmic song – a series of emphatic notes and quick pauses, often compared to human speech rhythms. Males sing persistently from within dense foliage, often throughout the day, making them easier to locate by ear than by sight. Their songs may include mimicry of other bird calls, adding to the variety and complexity of their repertoire. In the field, they move with short hops and bursts of flight, peering deliberately into foliage for caterpillars, spiders, and small insects, occasionally taking berries and small fruits outside the breeding season. The species’ habit of staying low and hidden in shrubs makes it a rewarding challenge for patient birders following the sound of its persistent voice.

In Alabama, the white-eyed vireo is common across all regions from spring through fall and locally present in winter along the Gulf Coast. It thrives in early-successional habitats – overgrown fields, hedgerows, streamside thickets, and young regenerating woodlands, especially where dense shrub cover meets open space. Its numbers remain healthy statewide thanks to the abundance of suitable second-growth and edge habitats. During migration, it passes through coastal Alabama from mid-September to late October, with many wintering individuals lingering in scrubby coastal areas. As a species that prospers in shrubby landscapes rather than mature forests, the white-eyed vireo has benefited from natural disturbances and human-created edges, ensuring that its brisk, chattering song remains a familiar sound across much of Alabama.

Yellow-Throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

• Identification: Stocky, small songbird with olive-green upperparts, bright yellow throat and breast, white belly, and striking yellow “spectacles” around the eyes; both sexes similar.
• Where found: Breeds widely across Alabama’s wooded regions, favoring tall open deciduous forests and edges near water; common spring through fall.
• How to spot: Look high in the canopy for a chunky, slow-moving vireo gleaning insects from inner branches; listen for its steady, burry “three eight” song or harsh scolding chatter.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable and locally common across Alabama, benefitting from woodland regrowth.

The yellow-throated vireo is one of Alabama’s most vivid yellow woodland birds, its bright throat and bold “spectacles” standing out even among the spring foliage. Measuring 13 to 15 centimeters (5.1 to 5.9 inches) in length, it is slightly larger and heavier-bodied than most vireos. Adults show olive-green upperparts with a gray rump, two bold white wingbars, and white underparts below the breast. The throat, breast, and eye ring are a rich yellow that gives the species its name.

This vireo moves with deliberate care through the canopy, hopping slowly from branch to branch and pausing often as it searches for insects on bare twigs and bark. It forages mainly in the middle and upper levels of trees, frequently among interior limbs rather than the leafy outer edges. Its flight between trees is short and direct. The male’s song is a series of rough, burry phrases often rendered as “three eight,” repeated steadily throughout the day. When agitated, both sexes give harsh scolding calls or sharp “chee” and “wit” notes. Despite its vivid coloration, the species’ measured pace and habit of remaining within the shaded canopy can make it surprisingly hard to spot.

In Alabama, the yellow-throated vireo is a fairly common breeder across much of the state. It is abundant in spring and fall migration and regular through summer, especially in the Tennessee Valley and inland regions, becoming somewhat less common toward the Gulf Coast. It prefers mature, open deciduous or mixed forests, especially near streams, swamps, or lakes, and readily occupies wooded parks and large shade trees in rural areas. The species has adapted well to forest regrowth and remains widespread, though local numbers may fluctuate with insect abundance and pesticide use.

Yellow-Breasted Chat

Icteria virens

• Identification: Large, heavy-billed songbird with olive-green upperparts, bright lemon-yellow throat and breast, white belly, and bold white facial markings forming “spectacles.”
• Where found: Common spring through fall across Alabama, breeding in shrubby thickets, regenerating forests, and streamside vegetation statewide.
• How to spot: Listen in spring for the male’s medley of whistles, rattles, and catcalls delivered from exposed perches or display flights; otherwise, look for a skulking bird in dense low brush.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable in Alabama and benefitting from secondary growth and power line corridors, though declining regionally where dense shrub habitat has decreased.

The yellow-breasted chat is the state’s largest and most expressive yellow songbird, a vivid presence in spring thickets and woodland edges. Measuring 17 to 19 centimeters (6.7 to 7.5 inches) in length, it is notably bulkier than any warbler or vireo, with a long tail and a thick, slightly curved bill. The upperparts are olive-green, contrasting with a bright lemon-yellow throat and breast that often glows in sunlight. The belly and undertail are white, and the grayish face is set off by a bold white eyering and malar stripe that form distinctive “spectacles.”

The chat’s behavior is as remarkable as its appearance. Males are boisterous performers, delivering long, varied songs that combine whistles, cackles, grunts, and catcalls – sometimes from a treetop perch, sometimes in an exaggerated, looping display flight that ends with a wing-thumping sound. These performances are most frequent in early breeding season, while for the rest of the year chats remain quiet and secretive. They move deliberately through dense brush, gleaning insects and spiders from leaves and twigs, and in late summer also feed on berries and small fruits. Their skulking habits and preference for thick cover make them difficult to spot, though a sharp “chuck” or harsh scolding call often reveals their presence.

In Alabama, the yellow-breasted chat is a common breeder and widespread migrant, present in all regions from spring through fall and occasionally lingering into winter. It inhabits dense, regenerating vegetation – clearcuts, overgrown fields, power line corridors, and shrubby stream edges, often near forest openings or abandoned farmland. The species has adapted well to habitats created by selective logging and roadside maintenance, but it declines when shrub cover is lost to grazing or forest succession. Populations in Alabama appear stable, supported by the state’s extensive secondary growth and riverine thickets, ensuring that this exuberant singer remains a lively feature of the state’s summer landscapes.

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

• Identification: Fairly large, heavy-bodied warbler with a thick pointed bill, golden-yellow head and underparts, blue-gray wings and tail, and white undertail; females paler yellow.
• Where found: Common in spring and summer across Alabama, breeding in cypress swamps, flooded bottomlands, and wooded wetlands near rivers and lakes.
• How to spot: Look for a bright yellow bird flitting low above still water or perched on a fallen log; listen for its ringing series of “sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet” notes echoing through swampy woods.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations declining from wetland loss and reduced cavity availability, though still locally common in Alabama’s forested wetlands.

The prothonotary warbler is one of Alabama’s most dazzling yellow birds, glowing like a drop of sunlight in the dim understory of swampy forests. Measuring 13 to 15 centimeters (5.1 to 5.9 inches) in length, this species is unusually large and robust for a warbler, with a short tail and heavy, pointed bill. Adult males are golden yellow on the head, throat, and underparts, contrasting with a greenish back and blue-gray wings and tail. The belly and undertail are white, and white patches on the outer tail feathers flash in flight. Females look similar but are slightly duller, often with a faint green wash on the crown and nape.

Prothonotary warblers move slowly and deliberately through low branches and overhanging limbs above still or slow-moving water, often hopping along fallen logs or probing into curled leaves for insects and spiders. They frequently climb short tree trunks like nuthatches and occasionally forage on cypress knees or exposed roots. Their flight is low and undulating, usually below the canopy. The male’s song is a clear, ringing series of repeated “sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet,” growing louder toward the end. This bright, resonant call carries far across the quiet backwaters where the species breeds. Both sexes also give sharp “tschip” calls and soft twitters near the nest, particularly when disturbed.

In Alabama, the prothonotary warbler is a common breeder from spring through early fall across all regions, though it is most numerous in the swampy lowlands of the coastal plain and river valleys. It nests almost exclusively in cavities over or near standing water – old woodpecker holes, natural hollows, or sometimes nest boxes, favoring bald cypress swamps, flooded hardwood forests, and shaded backwaters of large rivers. This “swamp warbler” depends on forested wetlands with standing dead trees, and local declines have been linked to drainage, channelization, and removal of snags. Despite moderate conservation concern, the species remains a familiar and vibrant inhabitant of Alabama’s wetlands, where its golden plumage and clear, echoing song mark the arrival of spring.

Prairie Warbler

Setophaga discolor

• Identification: Small, slender warbler with bright yellow underparts streaked black on the flanks, olive back with chestnut streaks, and bold black-and-yellow facial markings; females paler with less contrast.
• Where found: Common in spring through fall across Alabama, breeding in regenerating clearcuts, overgrown fields, and young pine or scrubby woodlands.
• How to spot: Listen for the male’s rising, buzzy “zee-zee-zee-zee-zee” song delivered from a high perch; watch for a small, active bird flicking its tail as it forages among low shrubs.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); though locally common, populations declining from habitat succession and development that reduce early-successional scrub.

The prairie warbler is one of the state’s most distinctive small yellow birds, combining vivid plumage with restless energy. Measuring 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) in length, it is slim and long-tailed, with a fine pointed bill and long legs. Males are bright yellow below with bold black streaks along the flanks, a black eyeline, and a semicircular mark beneath the eye. The upperparts are olive with chestnut streaks on the back, and pale yellow wingbars add a subtle contrast. Females are paler and less crisply marked, their black facial lines replaced by dark olive. Despite its name, the species is not associated with true prairies, but rather with shrubby, regenerating forests and old fields.

This warbler is an energetic and conspicuous forager, constantly flicking its tail in shallow bobs as it gleans insects from leaves and twigs or makes quick flights to snatch prey. Males sing persistently through spring and summer from exposed perches, producing a series of thin, rising “zee-zee-zee-zee-zee” buzzes that climb the scale – an unmistakable field mark in open scrub or young pine stands. During territorial disputes or courtship, males may chase one another in looping, butterfly-like flights. Although lively and vocal during the breeding season, prairie warblers can be quiet and hard to detect once nesting begins, moving low and quickly through dense growth.

In Alabama, the prairie warbler is common across most regions in spring, summer, and fall, occasionally lingering into winter in inland areas and along the Gulf Coast. It favors shrubby early-successional habitats – regenerating clearcuts, overgrown pastures, young pine plantations, and power line rights-of-way, typically where low trees and dense brush provide both cover and song perches. The species benefited historically from widespread deforestation but now declines where maturing forests and urban development eliminate its preferred open habitats. Despite ongoing range-wide decreases, it remains a familiar breeder in Alabama’s young forests and clearings, where its bright color and upward-spiraling song enliven warm spring mornings.

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

• Identification: Small, bright warbler with olive-green upperparts and yellow underparts; adult males have a striking black hood and throat surrounding a yellow face, females lack the hood or show only faint traces.
• Where found: Common spring through fall across Alabama, breeding in moist deciduous forests, wooded ravines, and bottomlands with a dense shrub understory.
• How to spot: Watch for a quick-moving bird in the forest understory that flicks its tail to flash white outer feathers; listen for the male’s ringing “weeta-weeta-wee-tee-o” song from shaded woods.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable or increasing in Alabama thanks to extensive mature forests with dense undergrowth.

The hooded warbler is a striking woodland songbird, instantly recognizable by the male’s bright yellow face framed by a bold black hood. Measuring 12 to 14 centimeters (4.7 to 5.5 inches) in length, it is a compact but sturdy warbler with a short tail and large dark eyes. Males are olive-green above and vivid yellow below, with a black hood and throat contrasting sharply with the yellow cheeks and forehead. Females share the same olive and yellow tones but usually lack the hood, showing only a faint dark border around the crown or face. Both sexes display conspicuous white spots on the outer tail feathers, which flash when the bird flicks or fans its tail.

These warblers are active and agile, spending most of their time in the shaded understory of forests. They flit among shrubs and low branches, frequently spreading their tails to expose the white outer feathers – a behavior thought to startle insects into flight. Their foraging involves short hops and quick darts to catch prey, including flies, moths, and spiders. The male’s song is a clear, rhythmic series of “weeta-weeta-wee-tee-o” or “ta-wit ta-wit ta-wit tee-yo,” often repeated from a hidden perch within dense cover. Both sexes also give sharp metallic chip notes, especially near the nest or when alarmed.

In Alabama, the hooded warbler is a common breeder throughout the state from spring through early fall. It inhabits mature deciduous and mixed forests with a well-developed shrub layer, especially in moist bottomlands, wooded ravines, and along streams. The species readily occupies selectively logged forests and young pine stands where understory vegetation is thick. During migration, it also uses wooded coastal habitats, including the forested “cheniers” of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Populations are stable or increasing across the Southeast, benefiting from forest management practices that maintain dense understories.

Summer Tanager (Female)

Piranga rubra

• Identification: Large, thick-billed tanager with uniform mustard- to olive-yellow plumage, sometimes faintly tinged with orange; males are entirely rosy-red.
• Where found: Common spring through fall across Alabama, breeding in open mixed hardwood and pine forests, particularly along forest edges and near clearings.
• How to spot: Listen for the mellow, robin-like song or distinctive “pit-ti-tuck” call; look for a bright yellow bird moving methodically through the canopy, sometimes near a red male companion.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations stable in Alabama, though sensitive to forest clearing and loss of mature woodland edges.

The female summer tanager adds a soft golden hue to Alabama’s summer woodlands, her warm yellow plumage standing out against the deep green canopy. At 17 to 19 centimeters (6.7 to 7.5 inches) in length, the summer tanager is a large, thick-billed songbird. Females range from bright lemon- to mustard-yellow and appear slightly smaller and less vividly colored than the males, whose rich strawberry-red plumage is unmistakable. Their large, thick bill, heavy body, and plain wings distinguish them from warblers or orioles.

Females are often quieter and more reserved than males, but they share the species’ characteristic behavior of sallying out from a perch to catch insects in midair. Summer Tanagers are expert bee and wasp hunters, seizing their prey with precision, then beating it against a branch to remove the stinger before swallowing. They also pick insects and fruits from leaves and bark, sometimes gleaning in the outer canopy or hovering briefly beneath branches. Their calls are low and distinctive – a rolling “pit-ti-tuck” or “pi-tuk,” often given from within foliage. Females may sing softly, a short, slurred version of the male’s musical, robin-like song.

In Alabama, summer tanagers are widespread and common from April through October, breeding in mixed pine-oak and hardwood forests across all regions. They favor open woodlands, forest edges, and riparian groves where tall trees are interspersed with clearings. During migration, they occur in virtually any wooded habitat, and a few linger into winter, especially in the southern part of the state. Their abundance depends on the preservation of mature, insect-rich forests, especially those along rivers and wooded edges. With their mellow voices and contrasting colors the species remains one of the most evocative signs of summer in Alabama’s forests.

Orchard Oriole (Female)

Icterus spurius

• Identification: Small, short-tailed oriole with olive-green upperparts and yellowish underparts; wings brownish with two narrow white wingbars; males are rich chestnut and black.
• Where found: Common in spring and summer across Alabama, breeding in open woodlands, orchards, and river edges with scattered trees, often near water.
• How to spot: Look for a yellow-green oriole foraging in the mid-canopy, often near flowering trees or perched beside a darker chestnut male; listen for its soft “jeet” calls or chattering notes.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations locally stable in Alabama though showing long-term declines elsewhere due to habitat loss and brood parasitism.

The female orchard oriole brings a soft greenish-yellow tone to the state’s summer landscapes, contrasting with the male’s deep chestnut and black plumage. At 15 to 18 centimeters (5.9 to 7.1 inches) in length, the orchard oriole is the smallest of North American orioles, with a relatively short tail and a sharply pointed bill. The female is olive-green above and yellow below, with two delicate white wingbars that are easily seen when she perches or flits among leaves. When observed together, the pair’s color contrast makes identification unmistakable.

Active and agile, female orchard orioles forage with quick hops and short flights through foliage, often pausing to probe flowers or glean insects from leaves. They feed mainly on small arthropods, spiders, and caterpillars during the breeding season, later adding ripe fruits and nectar. Their movements are light and buoyant, sometimes dipping low over fields or along water edges. The typical call is a soft “jeet” or a series of short chatters exchanged between mates. Females also sing, though their song is shorter and simpler than the male’s melodic, whistled series of notes. Together, their mixed calls often mark feeding or nesting activity within an open grove or riverside stand.

In Alabama, orchard orioles are common breeders across the state from April through early fall, occasionally lingering into winter along the Gulf Coast. They favor open, park-like habitats with scattered trees – orchards, pastures, forest edges, and riparian areas, especially near lakes or streams. Their small hanging nests, woven from grass and fibers, are usually suspended in the outer branches of shade trees. The species has declined in parts of its range due to habitat alteration and brood parasitism, yet remains widespread in Alabama, where open woodlands and riverside groves provide ideal breeding conditions.

Alabama’s Golden Highlights

From golden finches and meadowlarks to bright swamp warblers and soft-hued tanagers, Alabama offers yellow birds for every season and landscape. Whether exploring pine forests, wetlands, or open farmland, birders can spot these flashes of color almost anywhere – each one a vivid reminder of the state’s rich and varied birdlife.