22 Types of Yellow Birds You Can See in North America

North America hosts a diverse array of yellow birds found across a wide range of habitats in the United States and Canada. These include familiar feeder visitors such as goldfinches, woodland and forest birds like warblers and tanagers that flash color among leaves and branches, and a variety of migrants whose vivid plumage stands out during spring and summer. This ID guide highlights species most likely to appear yellow at first glance and provides practical, field-based tips for telling them apart.

American Goldfinch

Spinus tristis

• Identification: Small songbird with a short conical bill and notched tail; breeding males are bright lemon yellow with a black cap and black wings marked with white; females and non-breeding birds are duller yellow to brownish with wing bars.
• Field recognition: Often noticed by flashing yellow in bounding, undulating flight accompanied by a distinctive “po-ta-to-chip” call, and by active, acrobatic feeding on seed heads or feeders.
• Where found: Widespread across the United States and southern Canada in weedy fields, floodplains, open woodlands, agricultural areas, and suburban gardens.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common overall, though long-term monitoring shows modest declines in parts of the range.

The American Goldfinch is the most familiar yellow bird in North America and is often the species people mean when they recall seeing a brightly colored finch at a feeder or in open fields. It measures 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length and has a compact body, a small head, long pointed wings, and a short, notched tail. In breeding plumage, adult males are vivid lemon yellow across the body, with a jet-black cap on the forehead and crown, black wings with white markings, and black tails with white patches on the inner webs. Females are less saturated, showing olive to brownish upperparts and yellowish underparts, while winter birds of both sexes appear drab brown overall with blackish wings and two pale wing bars, lacking streaking.

In the field, American Goldfinches are most often noticed by their bright yellow color in spring and summer as they fly between perches in open country or gather at feeders. Their flight is buoyant and undulating, with quick wingbeats followed by brief glides, and it is frequently accompanied by the characteristic “po-ta-to-chip” flight call that draws attention even before the bird is seen. Goldfinches feed actively and acrobatically, clinging to thistle heads, seed stalks, or hanging feeders, often hanging upside down to reach seeds. They forage almost entirely on seeds, favoring plants such as thistles and asters, and readily visit feeders offering nyjer or sunflower, which makes them especially conspicuous in residential areas.

Across North America, the American Goldfinch breeds widely from southern Canada through much of the United States, avoiding only dense forests and the most arid regions. It favors open habitats with abundant seed-producing plants, including weedy fields, floodplains, roadsides, orchards, and suburban gardens. Northern populations shift southward in winter, while many birds in the central part of the range remain year-round, resulting in broad overlap between breeding and winter distributions. The species is generally common and widespread, though long-term surveys indicate gradual declines in some regions, partly linked to changes in land use and loss of weedy, early-successional habitats.

Northern Yellow Warbler

Setophaga aestiva

• Identification: Small, evenly proportioned songbird with a thin bill; adult males are bright yellow overall with chestnut streaks on the breast; females and immatures are plainer yellow without bold streaking.
• Field recognition: Most often noticed by its saturated yellow color moving actively through shrubs, flashing yellow in the tail, and by the sweet, whistled song given from exposed perches.
• Where found: Widespread across the United States and Canada in shrubby habitats, especially along wetlands, streams, floodplains, and willow thickets.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); very common overall, though long-term surveys indicate gradual declines in some regions, particularly where riparian habitat has been lost.

The Northern Yellow Warbler is the most uniformly yellow bird in North America and is often the first species associated with spring and summer conditions. This small warbler measures 12 to 13 centimeters (4.7 to 5.1 inches) in length and has a rounded head, medium-length tail, and a relatively straight, thin bill that appears large for a warbler. Adult males in breeding plumage are vivid, egg-yolk yellow across the face, throat, and underparts, marked with chestnut streaks on the breast that contrast strongly with the otherwise unmarked yellow body. Upperparts are yellow-green to olive, and the tail shows yellow on the inner webs, creating noticeable yellow flashes in flight. Females are duller overall, with greener upperparts and little or no chestnut streaking, while immatures are even plainer, appearing more greenish or brownish yellow with reduced markings.

In the field, Northern Yellow Warblers are most often detected by their bright yellow color as they forage restlessly in shrubs and small trees, especially willows and alders. They move with quick hops along twigs and outer branches, gleaning insects from leaves and bark, and occasionally sallying or hovering briefly to take prey. Males frequently sing from exposed perches near the tops of shrubs, giving a sweet, whistled song often rendered as “sweet sweet sweet, I’m so sweet,” which makes the species one of the most easily recognized warblers by sound during the breeding season. The combination of uniform yellow plumage, plain face with a prominent dark eye, and active movement through low vegetation helps separate it from other yellowish warblers.

The species breeds across most of the United States and Canada wherever suitable shrub vegetation occurs, extending north to the limits of woody growth and south into parts of the Southwest and central Mexico. In North America, it is especially associated with wet, deciduous thickets, riparian corridors, floodplains, and other early-successional habitats dominated by willows, alders, and cottonwoods. The Northern Yellow Warbler is a long-distance migrant, leaving most of the United States and Canada after the breeding season to winter primarily from Mexico through Central America and into northern South America, with only scattered winter records north of this range. It remains one of the most numerous warblers on the continent, although losses of riparian habitat and other landscape changes have contributed to localized and gradual population declines.

Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

• Identification: Small songbird with olive upperparts and bright yellow throat and upper breast; adult males show a bold black facial mask bordered above by a pale band; females lack the mask and are duller overall.
• Field recognition: Most often detected by the sharp contrast of yellow underparts moving low in dense vegetation, frequent skulking behavior, and the rolling “wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty” song.
• Where found: Widespread across the United States and southern Canada in marshes, wet thickets, brushy fields, and other habitats with dense low vegetation.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); still numerous, though long-term monitoring shows gradual declines linked to habitat degradation.

The Common Yellowthroat is a familiar yellowish warbler of North America’s marshes and thickets, usually detected low in dense vegetation. This species measures 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length and has a compact body, rounded head, and a medium-length, slightly rounded tail. Adult males in breeding plumage have plain olive upperparts and bright yellow on the chin, throat, and upper breast, set off by a broad black mask that covers the face and is separated from the olive crown by a narrow whitish to grayish band. The belly is paler and the flanks appear dusky, while the undertail coverts are distinctly yellow. Females lack the black mask and show paler yellow on the underparts with olive-brown upperparts, and immatures resemble females, with young males developing a partial or full mask as they mature.

In the field, Common Yellowthroats are most often noticed as quick flashes of yellow moving low through thick grasses, reeds, and shrubs, often near wetlands or brushy field edges. They typically hop among stems and branches, sometimes dropping briefly to the ground, and make short, direct flights between patches of cover. The species is more often heard than seen, with males delivering a distinctive, rolling song commonly rendered as “wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty, wich-i-ty” from low or mid-level perches. Both sexes also give sharp “chit” or “chuck” calls, especially when alarmed, which frequently reveal their presence before the bird comes into view. They forage mainly by gleaning insects and spiders from foliage, bark, and low vegetation, occasionally making short sallies to capture flushed prey.

The Common Yellowthroat breeds across much of the United States and southern Canada, extending from southern Alaska and most Canadian provinces south through the contiguous United States, with more localized distribution in drier western regions. It occupies a wide range of habitats characterized by dense, low vegetation, including marshes, wet meadows, riparian thickets, brushy fields, and open woodlands. Many northern populations migrate south for winter, while birds in parts of the southern United States remain year-round, and others are only partially migratory. The species remains widespread and abundant overall, but losses and degradation of wetlands and shrubby habitats have led to regional declines, particularly in areas where dense low vegetation has been removed or altered.

Eastern Meadowlark

Sturnella magna

• Identification: Medium-sized, stocky songbird with bright yellow underparts marked by a bold black crescent on the chest, brown-and-black patterned upperparts, and conspicuous white outer tail feathers visible in flight.
• Field recognition: Often noticed by the intense yellow breast contrasting with dark upperparts, low, quail-like flight with alternating flutters and glides, and clear, flutelike whistles sung from fenceposts or wires.
• Where found: Occurs across the eastern United States and southern Canada in open grasslands, pastures, hayfields, and other farmland habitats.
• Conservation status: Near Threatened (IUCN); populations have declined steeply across much of the range due to grassland habitat loss and agricultural intensification.

The Eastern Meadowlark has the strongest contrast and richest yellow among meadowlarks in North America, with southern populations typically appearing more intensely colored than northern ones. It measures 19 to 26 centimeters (7.5 to 10.2 inches) in length and has a chunky body, long legs, a long, slender bill, and a short, stiff tail. The upperparts are intricately patterned with browns, buffs, and black streaks that provide strong camouflage on the ground, while the underparts are vivid yellow, brightest on the throat and breast. A bold black crescent on the chest of adults creates a sharp visual anchor against the yellow, and the outer tail feathers are largely white, forming bright flashes when the bird takes flight. Sexes are similar in appearance, with females slightly smaller and less strongly marked.

In the field, Eastern Meadowlarks are most often detected by their bright yellow breast when perched upright on fenceposts, utility lines, or low trees, or when flushed from grasslands and fields. Their flight is distinctive and quail-like, consisting of rapid, shallow wingbeats with the wings held stiffly downward, alternating with short glides, and the white outer tail feathers are especially conspicuous during these low flights. On the ground, they walk or run through grasses, probing the soil and leaf litter with their long bills in search of insects, which make up most of their diet during the breeding season. Males frequently announce their presence with clear, plaintive, flutelike whistles that descend gently in pitch and carry well across open farmland.

The species breeds widely across the eastern and central United States and extends into southern Canada, including southern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. It favors open habitats with extensive grass cover, such as native grasslands, pastures, hay and alfalfa fields, savannas, and lightly managed agricultural landscapes. Many birds are resident or only short-distance migrants, but populations in the northern part of the range move south in winter as snow and ice limit access to ground-dwelling prey, forming flocks in colder months. Although still widespread, the Eastern Meadowlark has undergone long-term and severe declines across much of its range, primarily driven by the loss and fragmentation of grassland habitat, changes in farming practices, and early mowing that destroys nests.

Pine Warbler

Setophaga pinus

• Identification: Small songbird with olive upperparts, yellow underparts paling to white on the belly, two pale wing bars, and a stout bill; males are brighter yellow than females and immatures.
• Field recognition: Most often detected high in pine canopies by a steady, musical trilled song and subdued yellow tones moving along needles and branches.
• Where found: Occurs mainly in eastern North America in pine forests and pine-dominated woodlands; rarely found far from pines.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are stable to increasing overall despite localized habitat alteration.

The Pine Warbler is a yellow bird strongly associated with pine forests in eastern North America and is seldom found away from pines outside migration or winter. This species measures 13 to 14 centimeters (5.1 to 5.5 inches) in length and has a sturdy build, long tail, and a thicker bill than most warblers. Adult males show olive-green upperparts and clear yellow underparts, sometimes with faint darker streaking on the breast and flanks, while the lower belly and undertail coverts are whitish. The face appears softly patterned, with a weak yellow eye-ring and subtle supercilium, and the wings show two pale wing bars on otherwise dark feathers. Females and immatures are duller, with paler yellow or buffy underparts and more brownish or grayish tones above, giving them a washed-out appearance compared with males.

In the field, Pine Warblers are often difficult to see because they spend much of their time high in pine crowns, moving deliberately along branches and needles rather than flitting through open foliage. They hop and climb through trees, occasionally descending trunks in short series of hops, and may briefly forage on the ground or visit feeders, especially outside the breeding season. The most reliable clue is the male’s song: a clear, even, musical trill that carries well through pine woods. The singer is typically high in a pine, and careful observation usually reveals a subdued yellow-and-olive warbler moving deliberately along needles and branches. Pine Warblers feed mainly on insects during the breeding season but also take seeds and fruits, which helps explain their regular presence at feeders in fall and winter.

The Pine Warbler breeds primarily across the eastern United States and into southern Canada in areas where pine forests or mixed woods with abundant pines are present. Its breeding distribution is patchy in the north and more continuous in the southeastern United States, where some populations are resident year-round. Northern birds migrate south for winter, but most remain within the southeastern portion of the breeding range, making this one of the few warblers regularly found in winter across parts of the eastern United States. Although pine forests have been altered by logging, development, and fire suppression, the species has adapted to planted pines in some regions, contributing to stable or increasing populations overall.

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

• Identification: Small, long-legged songbird with brownish-olive upperparts and a bright yellow undertail; eastern birds show yellow across the entire underparts, while western birds show yellow mainly on the undertail and sometimes throat.
• Field recognition: Most often noticed walking on the ground or low vegetation with constant tail-wagging, flashing yellow undertail-coverts and white outer tail corners, and giving a thin “tsip” call.
• Where found: Occurs across much of the United States and southern Canada during migration and winter, breeding mainly in the boreal regions of Canada in bogs and open coniferous forest.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); fairly common overall with generally stable populations, though vulnerable to habitat change in boreal regions and collisions during migration.

The Palm Warbler is one of the most distinctive warblers in North America, combining ground-oriented behavior with a notably variable yellow appearance. It measures 12 to 15 centimeters (4.7 to 5.9 inches) in length and appears slightly larger and fuller-bodied than many other wood-warblers, with long legs, a relatively long tail, and an upright, pipit-like posture. Plumage is brownish gray to olive-brown above, with indistinct buffy wing bars and fine brown streaking on the breast and flanks. The brightest and most consistent yellow is on the undertail coverts in all birds, but individuals east of James Bay, known as Yellow Palm Warblers, show yellow across the entire underparts in all plumages. Birds west of James Bay, show strong yellow mainly on the undertail and sometimes the throat, with the breast and belly appearing whitish to only faintly yellow. In breeding plumage, both forms show a chestnut cap, and sexes are very similar.

In the field, Palm Warblers are usually identified by behavior as much as by color. They spend much of their time on the ground or in low shrubs, walking rather than hopping, and they wag their tails almost constantly, a motion that draws attention to the yellow undertail and white outer tail feathers. They forage actively by picking insects from the ground, low vegetation, and scattered shrubs, and they occasionally make short flycatching sallies from low perches. During migration and winter, they are often found in open, sparrow-like settings such as weedy fields, fence rows, forest edges, lawns, and scrub, frequently mixed with sparrows, juncos, and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Vocalizations are simple and subdued, consisting mainly of a thin “tsip” or “seep” call, with a weak, flat-toned trill given from perches during the breeding season.

Palm Warblers breed primarily in the boreal forest of Canada, using bogs, open coniferous woodland, and areas with scattered trees and dense ground cover, usually near water. In the United States, most observations occur during migration and winter, when birds pass through or settle in open, low-vegetation habitats across much of the East and parts of the West Coast. They are medium-distance migrants, moving earlier in spring and later in fall than many other warblers, with eastern and western subspecies following somewhat different routes but overlapping broadly in the southeastern United States during winter. The species remains fairly common and widespread, with long-term surveys indicating generally stable numbers, although dependence on intact boreal habitat and documented mortality at lighted structures highlight ongoing conservation concerns.

Orchard Oriole (Female)

Icterus spurius

• Identification: Medium-small songbird with a relatively short tail; females and immatures are greenish yellow below and olive-green above, with brownish wings marked by two narrow white wing bars.
• Field recognition: Usually noticed as a yellow-green oriole moving lightly through tree canopies or shrubs, with quick, buoyant flight and soft chatter or “jeet” calls rather than bold visual contrast.
• Where found: Breeds across the eastern United States and southern Canada in open woodlands, orchards, riparian edges, and scattered trees, and is absent from most of the region outside migration and summer.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); fairly common and generally stable, though dependent on open woodland and edge habitats.

The Orchard Oriole is notable for the strong contrast between the yellowish plumage of females and immatures and the chestnut males. It measures 15 to 18 centimeters (5.9 to 7.1 inches) in length and is the smallest North American oriole, with a slim body, rounded head, straight pointed bill, and relatively short tail. Females and immature males show greenish-yellow underparts and olive-green upperparts, creating a soft, subdued yellow-green appearance. Many immature males can be distinguished by a small black throat patch or dark markings around the bill, even while the rest of the plumage remains female-like. The wings are brownish with two narrow white wing bars, which often provide the clearest visual marks at rest or in motion.

In the field, female and immature Orchard Orioles are typically detected by their movement and behavior rather than bold color. They forage actively in the foliage of trees and shrubs, making short hops and wing-assisted movements along branches, often high in the canopy. Their flight is light and buoyant, with rapid wingbeats, and they tend to fly lower and more directly than larger orioles, sometimes darting in and out of shrubbery. They feed mainly on insects and spiders gleaned from leaves during the breeding season, but also take nectar from flowers and later switch to fruit, which brings them into orchards, flowering trees, and sometimes feeding stations offering fruit or nectar. Vocalizations are modest, consisting of soft “jeet” or “chuk” calls and chatter, which are less conspicuous than the songs of adult males.

In North America, Orchard Orioles breed widely across the eastern and central United States and reach into southern Canada, including southern Ontario, favoring open woodlands, river edges, orchards, shelterbelts, and agricultural or suburban landscapes with scattered trees. They are complete migrants in the United States and Canada, arriving relatively late in spring and departing early, so they are most often seen in late spring and summer. Outside the breeding season, they leave the region almost entirely, wintering from Mexico through Central America. The species remains fairly common within suitable habitat, but its presence is closely tied to open, lightly wooded environments, making it sensitive to changes in land use and the loss of orchard, riparian, and edge habitats.

Lesser Goldfinch

Spinus psaltria

• Identification: Small songbird with a short conical bill and short, notched tail; males show bright yellow underparts with a black cap and bold white wing patches; females and duller olive and yellow with two pale wing bars.
• Field recognition: Often noticed by flashing white wing patches in undulating flight, rapid twittering calls, and active flocking behavior at seed sources or feeders.
• Where found: Widespread in the western and southwestern United States, with limited breeding expansion northward; occurs mainly in open, weedy habitats, riparian areas, and suburbs.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations generally stable or increasing in parts of the range, with recent northward expansion linked to human-altered habitats.

The Lesser Goldfinch is the smallest finch in North America and one of the most frequent yellow birds encountered across the western United States. It measures 9 to 11 centimeters (3.5 to 4.3 inches) in length and has a compact body, short conical bill, long pointed wings, and a short, notched tail. Adult males are bright canary yellow below, with a glossy black forehead and crown, black wings marked by a large white patch at the base of the primaries, and black tails with white patches on the outer feathers. The male’s back varies geographically from greenish to mostly black, and in black-backed individuals this creates a distinct black-and-yellow appearance. Females are much duller, with olive-green upperparts, light olive-yellow underparts, and grayish-black wings with two narrow pale wing bars.

In the field, Lesser Goldfinches are often detected first by movement and sound rather than color alone. They fly with a buoyant, undulating flight similar to that of the American Goldfinch, during which the white wing patches flash conspicuously. They are highly social and frequently occur in small to large flocks, especially outside the breeding season, often mixing with other seed-eating finches at feeders or in weedy patches. While foraging, they perch on seed heads, buds, or flowers, deftly removing seeds with their bills, and they may also feed on the ground beneath plants. Their vocalizations include rapid, wheezy contact calls and a long, rambling song made up of varied notes and phrases, which is often delivered from perches or during brief song flights.

In North America, the Lesser Goldfinch is primarily a resident species across California, the Southwest, and parts of the southern Great Plains, with scattered resident populations extending into the Pacific Northwest. It occupies a wide range of habitats, including weedy fields, riparian corridors, open woodlands, desert oases, and suburban areas with reliable food and water. In recent decades, the species has expanded northward into parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and neighboring regions, where some populations have become year-round residents. Overall abundance remains good, and the species has benefited from human-created habitats such as agricultural landscapes and suburbs, although local declines have been noted in hotter, drier regions where riparian habitat has been reduced.

Nashville Warbler

Leiothlypis ruficapilla

• Identification: Small songbird with a thin pointed bill, gray head, bold white eye-ring, olive-green upperparts, and bright yellow underparts with a contrasting whitish lower belly.
• Field recognition: Often noticed as a yellow-and-olive warbler with a striking white eye-ring moving actively along outer branches, sometimes flicking the tail, and giving sharp “chip” notes or a two-part song in spring.
• Where found: Occurs across much of the United States and southern Canada during migration and breeding, favoring shrubby second growth, forest edges, and regenerating clearings.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common overall with stable populations, benefiting in many areas from the availability of second-growth forest.

The Nashville Warbler is a familiar yellow warbler for many North American observers, especially during migration, when it passes through a wide range of habitats and can be conspicuous at eye level. It measures 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length and has a compact, round-headed appearance, a plump body, and a relatively short tail. The head is gray with a bold, complete white eye-ring that gives the bird a large-eyed look, while the upperparts are olive green. The throat, breast, and undertail-coverts are bright yellow, but the lower belly is distinctly whitish, creating a yellow-white-yellow pattern that is especially noticeable when the bird is seen from below. A small rufous crown patch is present in adults but is usually hidden and rarely visible in the field. Females and young birds are similar in pattern but appear duller and paler overall.

In the field, Nashville Warblers are typically identified by their combination of yellow underparts, gray head with a bold eye-ring, and active foraging style. They move deliberately along twigs and foliage, often teetering on the ends of leaves while gleaning insects, and they may join mixed-species flocks during migration. Foraging occurs mainly in the mid-levels and outer edges of trees and shrubs rather than high in the canopy. Western birds often show more frequent tail flicking or wagging, while eastern birds tend to do this less. The song, given by males during the breeding season, is distinctive and two-parted, starting with a series of evenly spaced notes followed by a faster, lower-pitched trill, and sharp “chip” or metallic calls are commonly heard during both migration and breeding.

Nashville Warblers breed in two widely separated regions of North America, one in the East and one in the montane West. In the eastern part of the range, breeding occurs across southern Canada and the northeastern and north-central United States, extending south mainly along the Appalachian Mountains. In the West, the species breeds from southern British Columbia south through the Cascade Range and into parts of the Pacific Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada. Across the continent, it favors second-growth forest, open deciduous or mixed woods, bogs, and areas with shrubby undergrowth and good light penetration. The species is strongly migratory, leaving breeding areas in late summer and wintering primarily in Mexico, with only small numbers reaching the southern United States in winter. Overall abundance remains high, and the Nashville Warbler has remained stable in part because its reliance on regenerating and edge habitats makes it less vulnerable to some forms of forest change than many other Neotropical migrants.

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

• Identification: Medium-small songbird with a heavy, curved bill; olive-green upperparts and a bright lemon-yellow throat and breast contrasting with a white belly and undertail coverts, plus bold facial markings.
• Field recognition: Often detected by loud, varied songs and harsh calls coming from dense shrubs, with brief views of a yellow breast and long tail as the bird moves low through thickets or makes short display flights.
• Where found: Breeds widely across the United States and reaches southern Canada locally, inhabiting dense shrubby growth, forest edges, riparian thickets, and regenerating clearings.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); still fairly common overall, though long-term declines have occurred in parts of the eastern range as shrubby habitats have decreased.

The Yellow-breasted Chat draws attention primarily through its bright yellow throat and breast, which stand out strongly against dense green vegetation. This species measures 17 to 19 centimeters (6.7 to 7.5 inches) in length and has a large head, thick, strongly curved bill, and a noticeably long tail that immediately separate it from smaller wood-warblers. The upperparts are olive green to grayish olive, while the chin, throat, and breast are bright lemon yellow, sometimes with a faint orange tinge. This yellow area contrasts sharply with the white lower belly and undertail coverts. The face is gray with black lores, a bold white supercilium, and a white crescent below the eye, giving the bird a striking, masked expression. Males and females are very similar in plumage, with only subtle differences during the breeding season.

In the field, Yellow-breasted Chats are more often heard than seen. They are loud and vocally complex birds that skulk in dense, low vegetation, where they forage deliberately for insects and spiders and also take berries when available. Males produce an extraordinary variety of songs and calls, including whistles, cackles, chuckles, and harsh notes, often delivered from hidden perches or during short, exaggerated display flights that begin above the vegetation and drop back into cover. Outside the breeding season, both sexes become much quieter and more secretive, moving through thickets with slow, purposeful hops and short flights. When glimpsed, the bright yellow breast, long tail, and heavy bill are the most reliable visual cues.

Across North America, the Yellow-breasted Chat breeds in two broad regions, an eastern and a western population, together covering much of the United States and extending locally into southern Canada. It favors dense, shrubby habitats such as early second-growth forest, abandoned fields, clearcuts, powerline corridors, hedgerows, and brushy areas along streams, ponds, and wetlands. The species is a complete migrant, with most individuals leaving breeding areas by late summer and wintering primarily in Mexico and Central America, though small numbers attempt to overwinter in the southern United States and along the Atlantic Coast. Although still widespread, its abundance is closely tied to the availability of dense shrub cover, and declines in some eastern regions reflect the gradual loss of this habitat as forests mature and landscapes change.

Hooded Oriole (Female)

Icterus cucullatus

• Identification: Medium-sized songbird with long, rounded tail and a long, slightly decurved bill; females and immatures are olive-yellow overall with grayer backs and two pale wing bars.
• Field recognition: Often noticed as a pale yellow or olive-yellow oriole moving deliberately through trees, hanging acrobatically while foraging, and giving soft chatter or nasal calls rather than bold visual flashes.
• Where found: Occurs mainly in the southwestern United States in open woodlands, riparian corridors, desert oases, and suburban areas with scattered trees, especially palms.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are generally stable or increasing in parts of the range, though declines occur locally, particularly in southern Texas.

The Hooded Oriole is another North American oriole species in which females and immatures present a much softer yellow appearance compared with the bold black-and-yellow to orange plumage of adult males. It measures 18 to 20 centimeters (7.1 to 7.9 inches) in length and has a delicate build, long rounded tail, and a noticeably slender, slightly downcurved bill. Females are olive-yellow on the head, rump, tail, and underparts, with the breast often appearing brighter yellow than the flanks, which may show a grayish wash. The back is dull grayish olive, contrasting subtly with the greener head and rump, and the wings are dusky with two wing bars, the upper one broader and more obvious. Immature males resemble adult females overall but can usually be distinguished by the presence of a reduced black bib or mask on the throat and face.

In the field, female and immature Hooded Orioles are usually identified by shape, behavior, and habitat rather than by striking color. They forage deliberately among leaves and branches, often searching the undersides of foliage and hanging upside down while taking insects or spiders. Flights between trees are quick and direct, with strong wingbeats, but the birds often remain inconspicuous while feeding. They also take nectar and fruit and readily visit hummingbird feeders, where their pale yellow coloration and acrobatic feeding posture can be seen at close range. Vocalizations are relatively soft compared with those of larger orioles and include nasal “wheet” or “eek” calls and gentle chatter that can help reveal their presence even when the bird stays hidden.

The species breeds primarily in the southwestern United States, including California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Texas, with the range extending south into Mexico. The Hooded Oriole favors open habitats with scattered trees, such as riparian woodlands, desert oases, cottonwood-willow corridors, and suburban neighborhoods with ornamental palms, which have supported local range expansion. Northern populations are partially migratory, moving south in winter, while small numbers overwinter in the southern United States, often near feeders. Overall abundance remains good, but local declines, especially in southern Texas, are linked to habitat pressures and brood parasitism, making the species’ status strongly dependent on the availability of suitable open woodland and oasis-like habitats.

Wilson’s Warbler

Cardellina pusilla

• Identification: Small songbird with lemon-yellow underparts and a yellowish olive back; males show a crisp black cap that contrasts with a bright yellow face and black eye.
• Field recognition: Usually seen flitting restlessly in the understory and shrub thickets, with frequent tail-flicking and quick, direct flights; listen for a loud, rapid, chatterlike song that drops in pitch.
• Where found: Breeds across northern and western parts of the United States and widely in Canada in riparian thickets, boggy edges, and other mesic shrub habitats; widespread across the contiguous U.S. as a migrant.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations show a steep long-term decline, with habitat loss across breeding, migration, and wintering areas cited as primary threats.

The Wilson’s Warbler is one of the most widespread and recognizable yellow warblers in North America, frequently encountered moving low through dense shrubs during spring and fall migration. It measures 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) in length and looks compact and round-bodied, with a relatively large head, a small thin bill, and a long, thin tail. The species shows strong yellow emphasis on the face and underparts, with yellowish olive-green upperparts. Adult males in breeding plumage are the most distinctive, with lemon-yellow underparts and face set off by a glossy black crown patch that forms a well-defined cap, plus a black eye that stands out strongly on the yellow cheek. Females are similar but duller, and the amount of black on the crown is variable, ranging from none to a small dark cap.

In the field, you usually confirm the Wilson’s Warbler by watching a bright yellow bird dart through the understory and shrub thickets, often near water, where it moves quickly from perch to perch. It commonly hops through vegetation while foraging and shows rapid body movements with frequent tail-flicking or tail-waving. Its flight is typically direct with rapid wingbeats, but it can look airy and buoyant when maneuvering through tight spaces, and it may flutter while hawking insects. Wilson’s Warbler feeds mainly on invertebrates such as flies, bees, spiders, beetles, and caterpillars, and it often captures prey by picking it from leaves and twigs while perched, hovering to take prey from foliage, or sallying out to catch insects in the air. The song is a series of loud, rapid, chatterlike notes that often drop downward in pitch toward the end, and the call is a soft, distinctive “chip.”

The species breeds across a wide band of Canada and into Alaska, as well as in montane regions of the western U.S. and locally in the northeastern U.S., with the overall breeding distribution closely tied to boreal, coastal, and montane environments. Many northern, northeastern, and western montane populations occupy mesic riparian shrub habitats, including willow and alder thickets along streams, pond edges, bog margins, and overgrown clear-cuts, while Pacific coast birds use a wider range of shrubby habitats in humid coastal forests and young stands of conifers, alders, or maples. The Wilson’s Warbler is a medium- to long-distance migrant that winters primarily south of the United States, but it passes through nearly all of the contiguous U.S. during migration and is widespread in both spring and fall; small numbers winter regularly in a limited area along the Gulf Coast. It is common to abundant as a migrant in much of the West and less common in the East, and documented declines are strongest in parts of southern California where riparian habitat loss and urbanization have been linked to major reductions.

White-eyed Vireo

Vireo griseus

• Identification: Small songbird with greenish-gray upperparts, whitish underparts washed yellow on the sides, two pale wing bars, a bold yellow eye-ring and “spectacles,” and a striking white iris in adults.
• Field recognition: Most often detected by its loud, sharp, and emphatic song coming from dense shrubs, paired with brief views of a thick-billed bird hopping deliberately through low vegetation.
• Where found: Occurs mainly in the eastern and southeastern United States and locally into southern Canada, favoring dense deciduous scrub, forest edges, overgrown fields, and streamside thickets.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are common overall within suitable habitat and have increased in recent decades.

The White-eyed Vireo is a characteristic yellowish bird of dense, shrubby habitats in the eastern North America, often detected by its loud, emphatic song delivered from deep cover. The species measures 11 to 13 centimeters (4.3 to 5.1 inches) in length and has a compact body, thick neck, and a stout, slightly hooked bill that gives it a sturdy appearance for its size. The upperparts are greenish gray to olive green, with wings and tail edged yellowish and marked by two pale wing bars. The underparts are whitish, strongly washed with yellow on the sides and flanks, and the face is highlighted by a yellow stripe that extends from the bill over and around the eye, forming distinctive “spectacles.” Adult birds have a penetrating white iris that stands out sharply against the darker face, while first-year birds retain a darker eye through their first winter before it turns pale.

In the field, White-eyed Vireo is usually confirmed by sound before sight, as its loud, crisp, and snappy song carries well through thick vegetation where the bird often remains hidden. When seen, it typically hops deliberately among branches in the shrub layer, pausing frequently to peer at leaves and twigs while tilting its head. Flights are usually short and direct, with rapid wingbeats, and the tail is actively used to maneuver through dense cover. It forages mainly on insects, especially caterpillars and spiders, which it takes by gleaning from foliage, hovering briefly, or lunging toward prey, and it also consumes small fruits and berries, particularly outside the breeding season. During singing, the bird often stretches its neck upward and points its bill slightly skyward, briefly exposing its yellow sides before dropping back into cover.

In North America, the White-eyed Vireo breeds primarily in the eastern United States, from the Southeast northward into the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Midwest, with only rare and local breeding in southern Canada. Its breeding habitat is closely tied to dense, early- to mid-successional deciduous scrub, including overgrown pastures, old fields, forest edges, regenerating farmland, and streamside thickets. The species winters mainly in the southeastern U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, and parts of Central America, with some southern populations remaining year-round residents. It is generally common within suitable habitat, especially in the Southeast, where its persistent singing and preference for dense shrubs make it a familiar but often elusive presence.

Yellow-throated Vireo

Vireo flavifrons

• Identification: Small, chunky songbird with olive-green upperparts, a contrasting gray rump, bright yellow throat, breast, and “spectacles,” a clean white belly, and two bold white wing bars.
• Field recognition: Usually detected high in deciduous trees by its slow, deliberate movements and a burry, emphatic song delivered from the canopy.
• Where found: Breeds mainly in the eastern United States and locally into southern Canada in mature deciduous and mixed forests, especially near edges, rivers, and open understory conditions.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are common overall and have increased in recent decades.

The Yellow-throated Vireo is one of the most distinctive and colorful members of its genus and is often noticed by its bold yellow face and throat set against a white belly. It measures 13 to 15 centimeters (5.1 to 5.9 inches) in length and appears larger and more thickset than most other vireos, with a large head, thick neck, and stout bill. Adults show olive-green upperparts with a contrasting gray rump, dark wings marked by two broad white wing bars, and bright yellow “spectacles” that surround the eye and connect to the yellow throat and breast. The belly and undertail-coverts are clean white, creating a sharp contrast with the yellow above. Sexes are alike in plumage, while immatures are similar but paler, with the yellow on the throat and breast appearing duller or slightly buffy.

In the field, Yellow-throated Vireo is usually confirmed by its slow, methodical behavior high in the canopy rather than by rapid movement. It forages deliberately along branches, leaves, and bark, often pausing for extended periods before hopping or making a short flight to a nearby perch. Most feeding occurs in the middle to upper levels of deciduous trees, where the bird searches visually for insects and occasionally captures prey in short sallies. Its primary song is a series of short, burry, and harsh-sounding phrases separated by clear pauses, often compared to slower, more emphatic versions of other vireo songs, and it is given persistently by males throughout the day, making the species easier to locate by sound than by sight.

In North America, this vireo species breeds primarily in the eastern United States, extending locally into southern Canada, including parts of southern Ontario and Quebec. It favors mature deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests with open structure, especially along forest edges, rivers, swamps, wooded roadsides, and park-like settings with tall trees. During the non-breeding season it migrates long distances to winter mainly from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern South America, with only rare and localized winter records in the southern United States. The species is generally common within suitable breeding habitat, and long-term trends indicate stable to increasing populations following earlier declines associated with landscape changes in parts of its range.

Prairie Warbler

Setophaga discolor

• Identification: Small songbird with bright yellow underparts marked by black streaks along the sides and flanks, an olive back, pale yellow wing bars, and a distinctive black-and-yellow facial pattern.
• Field recognition: Often noticed by its constant tail-flicking and active foraging in low shrubs, and by the male’s rising, buzzy song delivered from exposed perches.
• Where found: Breeds mainly in the eastern United States and locally into southern Canada in scrubby, open habitats such as second-growth woodlands, overgrown fields, and young pine stands.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations have undergone substantial long-term declines, despite relatively stable trends in recent years.

The Prairie Warbler is a characteristic bird of scrubby, open landscapes in eastern North America and is frequently encountered where low shrubs and young trees dominate. This species measures 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) in length and has a slim build with a thin bill, long tail, and relatively long legs. Adult males are strikingly patterned, with yellow underparts crossed by black streaks along the sides and flanks, a blackish eyeline, a bold yellow crescent below the eye, and a small black mark on the side of the neck. The upperparts are olive, sometimes showing faint chestnut streaking on the back, and the wings display pale yellow wing bars; white tail spots are visible when the tail is spread. Females and immatures are similar in structure but paler overall, with black markings reduced or replaced by dark olive and the facial pattern appearing softer and less contrasting.

In the field, Prairie Warbler is usually confirmed by its restless behavior in low vegetation, where it hops actively among branches while frequently flicking or bobbing its tail. It forages by picking insects from leaves and twigs, hovering briefly under foliage, or making short fly-catching sallies, often staying within a few meters of the ground except when males sing. During the breeding season, males frequently sing from exposed perches near the tops of shrubs or small trees, giving a distinctive, buzzy song that often starts low and rises sharply in pitch. The combination of yellow underparts with black side streaking, an olive back, and a strong facial pattern helps separate it from other small yellow warblers in similar habitats.

The Prairie Warbler breeds primarily across the eastern United States, with scattered and local breeding populations extending into southern Canada, including parts of southern Ontario. It is closely associated with early-successional habitats lacking closed forest canopies, such as overgrown pastures, regenerating woodlands, power line cuts, coastal scrub, and young pine stands. Most populations are migratory, wintering mainly in Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of coastal Central America, while birds in northeastern Florida may be partially resident. Although the species remains locally common where suitable habitat persists, long-term declines have been documented across much of its range, largely linked to the loss of shrubby early-successional habitats as forests mature and landscapes continue to change.

Hooded Warbler

Setophaga citrina

• Identification: Small songbird with olive-green upperparts and bright yellow underparts; adult males show a bold black hood and throat framing a yellow face; females are yellow below with little or no black and prominent white tail spots.
• Field recognition: Typically located by quick movements and frequent tail-flicking in dense understory, flashing white outer tail feathers; males sing a clear, ringing song from low to mid-level cover.
• Where found: Breeds across much of the eastern United States and locally into southern Canada in mature deciduous forests with a well-developed shrub layer.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are common overall and have shown modest increases in recent decades.

The Hooded Warbler is a familiar yellow forest warbler of eastern North America, most often encountered in shady woods with dense understory vegetation. It measures 12 to 14 centimeters (4.7 to 5.5 inches) in length and appears fairly heavy-bodied for a warbler, with a thick neck and straight, pointed bill. Adult males are striking, with olive-green upperparts and bright yellow underparts set off by a solid black hood and throat that sharply frame the yellow forehead, cheeks, and face. Females are also olive above and yellow below but usually lack a complete hood, showing little or no black on the head; some older females may show a thin or partial dark border around the face. White spots on the outer tail feathers are present in both sexes and are especially noticeable when the tail is spread or flicked.

In the field, Hooded Warblers are usually confirmed by their behavior in the understory, where they hop actively among shrubs and low branches while frequently flicking their tails to reveal the white tail spots. They forage mainly on insects and other small arthropods, using a mix of perch-gleaning, hovering, and short sallies to capture prey, and are particularly adept at taking flying insects. Flight is direct but agile, and individuals may appear surprisingly acrobatic when pursuing prey in tight vegetation. On the breeding grounds, males sing persistently, delivering a clear, ringing song composed of a few distinct notes, while both sexes give sharp metallic chip notes, especially during alarm or territorial encounters.

In North America, the Hooded Warbler breeds throughout much of the eastern United States, extending north into southern Ontario, where it remains local but increasing. It favors mature deciduous and mixed forests that contain treefall gaps, forest edges, or light openings with dense shrubs for nesting, and it can also occupy selectively logged forests and young pine plantations once a shrubby understory develops. The species is a complete nocturnal migrant, leaving its breeding range after the season to winter mainly in southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, with only very rare winter records in the United States. It remains a common and widespread breeder within suitable habitat, particularly where forest structure supports a dense understory.

Blue-winged Warbler

Vermivora cyanoptera

• Identification: Small songbird with bright yellow underparts and crown, a bold black eye-line, yellow-green upperparts, blue-gray wings with two clear white wing bars, and a slender, pointed bill.
• Field recognition: Often identified by the male’s distinctive buzzy “bee-buzz” song and by deliberate, vireo-like foraging that includes hanging upside down in shrubs and saplings.
• Where found: Breeds in the eastern United States and locally into southern Canada in brushy fields, forest edges, clear-cuts, and other early-successional shrub habitats.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are fairly common but show a moderate long-term decline across much of the range.

The Blue-winged Warbler is a characteristic yellow warbler of shrubby, open landscapes in eastern North America and is often associated with brushy fields and regenerating woodlands. It measures 11 to 12 centimeters (4.3 to 4.7 inches) in length and has a compact body with a sharp, pointed bill and relatively long tail. Adult males are vivid, with bright yellow underparts and crown, a strong black eye-line that gives the face a sharp expression, and yellow-green upperparts. The wings and tail are bluish gray and marked with two prominent white wing bars, while the undertail coverts are white and visible from below. Females and immatures are similar in pattern but duller overall, with a more olive-toned crown, grayer eye-line, and less contrasting wing bars, giving them a softer appearance than adult males.

In the field, Blue-winged Warbler is usually confirmed by a combination of voice and behavior. Males sing persistently during the breeding season from exposed perches, delivering a thin, raspy song often rendered as “bee-buzz,” which carries well across open shrubland. When foraging, the species moves deliberately through shrubs and saplings, often probing leaves and twigs, gleaning insects from outer foliage, or hanging upside down like a chickadee. Short, purposeful flights connect nearby perches, and individuals may briefly join mixed-species flocks during migration. The gentle “tzip” call note is commonly heard when birds are alert or during territorial interactions.

The species breeds primarily across the eastern United States, with its range extending north into southern Ontario and locally into parts of the northeastern states. It is strongly tied to early- to mid-successional habitats, including abandoned farmland, forest clearings, power line corridors, and edges of woodlands where dense shrubs and herbaceous growth are present, regardless of proximity to water. The Blue-winged Warbler is a medium-distance migrant, wintering mainly from southern Mexico through parts of Central America, with only rare and scattered winter records north of this range. Although it expanded northward during the past century as new shrub habitats became available, ongoing habitat changes and suburban development have contributed to regional population declines, even as the species remains locally common where suitable scrub habitat persists.

Kentucky Warbler

Geothlypis formosa

• Identification: Small songbird with bright yellow underparts and olive-green upperparts; adult males show a bold black face and crown broken by a yellow eyebrow and incomplete eye-ring forming distinctive “spectacles.”
• Field recognition: Usually detected by rich yellow underparts moving low in dense forest understory, steady straight-line flights between perches, and a loud, rolling series of repeated two-syllable songs ringing from near ground level.
• Where found: Occurs in the eastern United States, reaching locally into southern Canada, primarily in deciduous forests with dense understory, especially bottomland woods and streamside habitats.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations show long-term declines in North America linked to loss and degradation of forest understory habitat.

The Kentucky Warbler is a distinctive yellow bird of dense forest understories, often catching the eye by color even when partly concealed by foliage. It measures 12 to 14 centimeters (4.7 to 5.5 inches) in length and has a sturdy, compact build with relatively long legs, a heavier bill than many warblers, and a fairly short tail. Adult males are bright yellow below, contrasting strongly with olive-green upperparts, and show a striking black mask covering the crown and sides of the head. This black pattern is interrupted by a yellow supraloral stripe that joins an incomplete yellow eye-ring, creating a bold “spectacled” appearance. Females and immatures resemble males in overall pattern but usually have reduced or mottled black on the head, making the facial contrast less sharp.

In the field, Kentucky Warblers are most often confirmed by a combination of yellow coloration and behavior rather than prolonged views. They forage mainly on or near the ground, walking and hopping through leaf litter, flipping leaves with their feet and probing with the bill for insects and other small invertebrates. Birds also move through low shrubs, vines, and fallen logs using short hops or brief, direct flights, rather than the bounding flight typical of many canopy warblers. Males advertise territories with a loud, rolling song made up of repeated, up-slurred two-syllable notes that carry well through dense understory and are often heard before the bird is seen. The species’ habit of staying low and partially concealed makes the bright yellow underparts and the bold facial pattern especially important visual cues when the bird pauses or moves into small openings.

The Kentucky Warbler breeds mainly in the eastern United States, with the northern edge of the regular range reaching into areas such as southern Ontario, southern New Jersey, and parts of the Midwest, where it is local and uncommon. It favors mature deciduous or mixed forests with a well-developed understory, especially bottomland hardwood forests, wooded stream corridors, and forested areas with canopy gaps that allow dense ground vegetation to grow. The species is a complete migrant, leaving the United States and Canada after the breeding season to winter primarily in Mexico, Central America, and parts of the Caribbean, and it is rarely found in North America during winter. Although still widespread, Kentucky Warblers have shown gradual, long-term declines, largely associated with the loss of dense forest understory from development, intensive forest management, and browsing pressure that reduces ground and shrub cover.

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

• Identification: Small songbird with a thick bill and short tail; adults show rich golden-yellow head and underparts contrasting with olive-green back, blue-gray wings and tail, a solid black eye, and white undertail and tail spots.
• Field recognition: Most often noticed as a bright yellow bird moving low in swampy woods, hopping deliberately along branches or logs over water, flashing white in the tail during short undulating flights, and giving a loud, ringing series of repeated notes.
• Where found: Breeds mainly in the eastern United States, locally reaching southern Canada, in forested wetlands such as bottomland hardwoods, swamps, and wooded stream corridors.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations have declined across North America due to loss and degradation of forested wetlands and suitable nesting sites.

The Prothonotary Warbler shows some of the most saturated yellow plumage of any North American songbird and is closely associated with wet, forested habitats. It measures 13 to 15 centimeters (5.1 to 5.9 inches) in length and has a robust build with a large head, a relatively heavy, pointed bill, short legs, and a short tail. Adult males are striking, with intense golden-yellow head to orange-yellow, breast, and belly set against an olive-green back and blue-gray wings and tail. The face is plain yellow with a prominent black eye, and there are no wing bars. The lower belly and undertail-coverts are white, and the outer tail feathers show large white patches that are conspicuous in flight. Females are similar but slightly duller overall, with yellow washed with green on the crown and nape.

In the field, Prothonotary Warblers are often detected by color as they move slowly and deliberately through the lower levels of forested wetlands. They forage by hopping along branches, twigs, fallen logs, and exposed roots, frequently above standing or slow-moving water, and occasionally drop to the ground to probe for prey. Birds may also climb along tree trunks and bark while foraging, moving deliberately in a manner reminiscent of a nuthatch rather than a typical canopy warbler. Flight is typically low and within the understory, marked by heavy wingbeats and an undulating pattern, with the white in the tail flashing briefly as the bird crosses open water or small gaps. Males advertise territories with a loud, ringing song composed of a simple series of repeated, high-pitched notes that carry well through swampy woods and often reveal the bird’s presence before it is seen.

In North America, the Prothonotary Warbler breeds primarily in the southeastern United States, extending north locally along major river systems and wetland corridors into the Midwest and southern Canada, including small, scattered populations in southern Ontario. It is strongly tied to forested wetlands, especially bottomland hardwood forests, bald cypress swamps, flooded woods, and wooded areas near streams, rivers, and lakes, where standing water and dead trees provide essential nesting sites. The species is a Nearctic-Neotropical migrant, leaving the United States and Canada after the breeding season to winter mainly in coastal and lowland forests from southern Mexico through Central America and into northern South America, and it is only very rarely encountered in the U.S. during winter. Although still locally common in suitable habitat, long-term declines have been documented, largely driven by the loss of forested wetlands, removal of standing dead trees, and degradation of mangrove and lowland forests on the wintering grounds.

Western Tanager

Piranga ludoviciana

• Identification: Medium-small, stocky songbird with a thick-based bill; breeding males show extensive bright yellow on the body contrasting with black wings and tail and a red head; females appear mostly yellow to yellow-green.
• Field recognition: Often noticed as a yellow bird high in conifer canopies, moving deliberately along branches, flashing bold wing bars in flight, and giving a hoarse, robin-like song from treetops.
• Where found: Breeds widely across western North America, including western Canada and the western United States, mainly in coniferous and mixed woodlands.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); common and widespread, with stable to increasing populations across much of the range.

The Western Tanager is frequently perceived as a yellow bird in western North America, with yellow forming the primary body color across sexes and ages. It measures 16 to 20 centimeters (6.3 to 7.9 inches) in length and has a robust, heavy-bodied shape with a large head, a short, thick bill, and a medium-length tail. Adult males in breeding plumage show a vivid yellow body set off by black wings, back, and tail, with two bold wing bars, while the head ranges from orange-red to red, creating a strong tri-colored appearance. Outside the breeding season, males lose most facial red and appear predominantly yellow. Females and immatures are duller overall, with olive-green to yellow-green upperparts and yellowish underparts, but still present a clearly yellow impression compared with most other western songbirds.

In the field, Western Tanagers are most often detected high in trees rather than at eye level. They forage deliberately along branches and among leaves or needles, moving methodically rather than actively flitting, and they occasionally sally out to catch insects in midair. Yellow is most apparent when birds pause in open canopy gaps or when sunlight catches the body against darker conifer foliage. Their flight is strong and direct, with rapid wingbeats, and the contrasting wing bars can be conspicuous at close range. During the breeding season, males frequently sing from exposed treetops, producing a hoarse, burry song composed of short phrases that resembles a roughened version of an American Robin’s song, helping locate birds that remain visually obscured.

In North America, the Western Tanager breeds across a broad swath of western Canada and the western United States, from Alaska and British Columbia south through the mountains and forests of the West to California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It occupies a wide range of wooded habitats, especially open coniferous forests, mixed conifer-deciduous woodlands, and montane forests from low elevations to near treeline, and it also uses riparian woodlands and oak forests locally. The species is a complete migrant, leaving most of its breeding range in fall to winter primarily in Mexico and Central America, with small numbers wintering along the Pacific coast of the southwestern United States. Western Tanagers are generally common in suitable habitats and have shown stable or increasing trends, likely benefiting from their tolerance of forest edges and fragmented woodland landscapes.

Summer Tanager (Female)

Piranga rubra

• Identification: Medium-small, chunky songbird with a large head and thick, blunt-tipped bill; adult females are yellow to mustard yellow overall, often brighter on the head and underparts.
• Field recognition: Usually noticed as a warm yellow bird high in the canopy, sitting quietly before making short sallies for flying insects, and giving a distinctive rolling “pit-ti-tuck” call.
• Where found: Breeds widely across the eastern United States and locally in the Southwest, reaching marginally into southern Canada, primarily in open deciduous or mixed woodlands and riparian forests.
• Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN); populations are generally stable to slightly increasing overall, though local declines occur where forested habitats are lost.

The Summer Tanager is best known as the most uniformly red bird on the continent, yet many observations involve the yellow-bodied female seen independently of the vivid red male. The species measures 17 to 19 centimeters (6.7 to 7.5 inches) in length and has a solid, heavy-bodied shape with a large head and a thick, pale bill that separates it from similarly colored warblers and vireos. Adult females are yellow to mustard yellow overall, typically brighter on the head, throat, and underparts, with the upperparts sometimes washed olive or yellow-green. In parts of the eastern range, some females show a faint reddish or orangish wash, but most retain a clear yellow appearance.

In the field, female Summer Tanagers are most often detected high in the canopy, not in low vegetation. They tend to perch quietly before sallying out to capture flying insects or moving deliberately along branches to glean prey. Flight is swift and direct, with bursts of wingbeats followed by brief pauses. Both sexes give a distinctive, rolling call often rendered as “pit-ti-tuck,” which is one of the most reliable cues to their presence when birds are otherwise difficult to see. Although males sing more frequently, some females give a softer, abbreviated version of the song, especially near nests or fledglings. The species’ specialization on bees and wasps, taken on the wing and processed at a perch, helps explain its frequent pauses and measured foraging style.

Across North America, the species breed mainly in the eastern United States, favoring open deciduous forests, woodland edges, and areas near canopy gaps, with additional populations in the Southwest occupying riparian woodlands of cottonwood, willow, mesquite, and salt cedar. They are absent from most of Canada, though they approach the southern edge of the country during the breeding season. The species is a complete migrant, leaving North America in late summer and fall to winter from Mexico through Central America and into northern South America, with only scattered winter records in the southern United States. Summer Tanagers remain fairly common in suitable habitats, and while some local populations have declined due to loss of riverside and open woodland forests, the species as a whole remains widespread and secure.

Evening Grosbeak

Hesperiphona vespertina

• Identification: Medium-sized songbird with a large conical bill and short tail; adult males show bold yellow and black plumage with a bright yellow forehead and eyebrow and a large white wing patch; females are mostly gray with subtle yellow highlights.
• Field recognition: Often noticed in flocks by loud, sharp flight calls and by their bulky shape and oversized bill; undulating flight and frequent visits to feeders make them conspicuous during winter irruptions.
• Where found: Occurs across northern and montane regions of the United States and Canada, breeding mainly in coniferous and mixed forests and appearing irregularly farther south in winter.
• Conservation status: Vulnerable (IUCN); populations have declined sharply over recent decades, especially in eastern North America.

The Evening Grosbeak is one of the largest finches in North America and is an irregular, unpredictable presence across much of its range. It measures 16 to 22 centimeters (6.3 to 8.7 inches) in length and has a thick neck, full chest, a short, slightly notched tail, and a massive, conical bill. Adult males are striking, with a dark brown to black head capped in black and marked by a vivid yellow forehead and supercilium, contrasting with yellow scapulars, rump, and parts of the underparts. The wings and tail are black, set off by a large white patch on the inner wing that is obvious in flight. Females are more subdued, appearing mostly grayish brown with a faint yellow wash on the sides of the neck and flanks, and smaller white markings in the wings and tail.

In the field, the species is most often detected by sound and behavior. Flocks frequently give loud, piercing flight calls that carry over long distances and can draw attention before the birds are seen. Their flight is strongly undulating, and birds often move between treetops, feeders, and the ground, where they hop while feeding. Evening Grosbeaks forage in the outer branches and tops of trees for seeds, buds, fruits, and insect larvae, and they readily visit feeding stations, especially platform feeders offering sunflower seeds. The species’ oversized bill is a key identification feature at any distance and is used to crack hard seeds with ease, reinforcing the bird’s chunky, powerful appearance.

Across its range, the Evening Grosbeak has a broad but uneven distribution. It breeds in coniferous and mixed forests across much of Canada and the northern United States, as well as in montane forests of the western states. Outside the breeding season, birds may remain within this range or move unpredictably southward, sometimes appearing in large numbers well beyond their typical winter range during irruptive years. These winter movements are closely tied to food availability and can vary dramatically from year to year. Although once a familiar winter visitor in many regions, especially in the East, the species has undergone substantial long-term declines, likely linked to changes in boreal forest structure, reduced insect outbreaks, disease, and other large-scale environmental pressures.

Recognizing Yellow Birds in the Field

Recognizing yellow birds in the field often begins with an overall color impression but becomes clearer by looking beyond it. Noting where the yellow is concentrated, how saturated it appears, and when it is most visible, along with habitat, behavior, season, and movement, provides the most reliable path to identification. Using this broader set of clues helps distinguish widespread species from more localized or unexpected ones and turns a quick flash of color into a confident identification.