There are a few birds that are known for having a beautiful golden or yellow colored breast. Determining which specific bird species has a “golden breast” depends on the exact coloration and location. Here are some of the most likely candidates for birds with gold or yellow colored feathers on their breast or belly.
Goldfinch
One of the most well-known birds with a bright yellow breast is the goldfinch. The American goldfinch and European goldfinch display vibrant yellow on their breasts, bellies, and wings during breeding season. The yellow plumage is particularly striking on the American goldfinch males in spring and summer.
Goldfinches are small songbirds with conical beaks adapted for eating seeds. They are found widely across North America and Europe. Here are some key facts about goldfinches:
- Scientific name: Spinus tristis (American goldfinch), Carduelis carduelis (European goldfinch)
- Length: 4.3-5.1 inches
- Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 inches
- Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
- Habitat: Open areas with trees, shrubs, and weeds
- Range: Across North America and Europe
- Diet: Seeds from weeds and feeders, sometimes insects
The bright yellow on a goldfinch’s breast and body is very difficult to miss. The goldfinch is likely the first bird people think of when asked about a bird with a golden breast.
Yellow Warbler
Yellow warblers are small songbirds with bright yellow plumage on the breasts and bellies of males. Their yellow coloring can vary from a golden yellow to a more greenish-yellow hue. Females have more muted yellow coloring on their breasts and bodies.
Here are some key facts about yellow warblers:
- Scientific name: Setophaga petechia
- Length: 4-5 inches
- Wingspan: 6-9 inches
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz
- Lifespan: up to 8 years
- Habitat: Open woodlands with shrubs
- Range: Throughout North America
- Diet: Insects like caterpillars, aphids, flies
The yellow warbler breeds across North America and winters in Central and northern South America. Look for them flitting through shrubs and low branches, tails bobbing, showing off their bright golden plumage.
Yellow-breasted Chat
Yellow-breasted chats truly live up to their name with vibrant golden-yellow breasts. Their bellies and chests display the brightest yellow, with some golden feathers extending up their neck and face.
Here are some facts about yellow-breasted chats:
- Scientific name: Icteria virens
- Length: 7-8 inches
- Wingspan: 10-11 inches
- Weight: 0.9-1.1 oz
- Lifespan: Unknown, at least 8 years
- Habitat: Dense shrublands, woodland edges
- Range: Western half of North America
- Diet: Insects, spiders, small berries
Yellow-breasted chats live up to their vocal reputation with a wide array of calls and sounds. Look and listen for them skulking in dense thickets and shrubs with their bright golden breasts conspicuously on display.
Eastern meadowlark
Eastern meadowlarks are iconic grassland birds of North America. Their most distinctive feature is the bright golden-yellow breast and belly on males. The yellow color covers their chest and extends up to their throat.
Here are some key facts about eastern meadowlarks:
- Scientific name: Sturnella magna
- Length: 7-10 inches
- Wingspan: 13-15 inches
- Weight: 3.4-5.3 oz
- Lifespan: 10 years
- Habitat: Grasslands, fields, pastures
- Range: Eastern half of North America
- Diet: Insects, seeds, grains
Listen for the flute-clear calls of eastern meadowlarks rang throughout spring and summer. Their bright golden yellow breasts shine brightly and can be easy to spot atop fence posts or grass stalks.
Hooded Oriole
The hooded oriole is a striking yellow and black oriole found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Male hooded orioles have vibrant yellow-orange breasts and bellies that stand out against their black heads and backs.
Here are some facts about hooded orioles:
- Scientific name: Icterus cucullatus
- Length: 6.7-9.1 inches
- Wingspan: 10.2-11 inches
- Weight: 0.9-1.1 oz
- Lifespan: Up to 8 years
- Habitat: Open woodlands, palms
- Range: Southwestern US, Mexico
- Diet: Insects, nectar, fruit
The bright golden hood, breast, and belly of male hooded orioles make them hard to miss as they feed on nectar and fruit. Listen for their sharp “wheet-wheet” whistles echoing among palms and trees.
Yellow-throated Warbler
The yellow-throated warbler is a southern warbler species with a bright gold throat and breast. Males have striking yellow plumage covering their throats, chests and bellies, contrasting with gray and olive upperparts.
Here are some key facts about yellow-throated warblers:
- Scientific name: Setophaga dominica
- Length: 4.5-5.5 inches
- Wingspan: 7-8 inches
- Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz
- Lifespan: Up to 10 years
- Habitat: Pine and cypress forests
- Range: Southeastern United States
- Diet: Insects like caterpillars, ants, wasps
The yellow-throated warbler migrates to the southeastern US to breed after overwintering in the tropics. Listen for their rolling, musical whistles as you scan the tree canopy for a flash of golden yellow.
Wilson’s Warbler
Wilson’s warblers are small, active warblers with bright golden-yellow plumage on their breasts and bellies. Males have more vibrant yellow coloring than females. They breed across Canada and the western US before migrating south.
Here are some facts about Wilson’s warblers:
- Scientific name: Cardellina pusilla
- Length: 4-5 inches
- Wingspan: 6-7 inches
- Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Habitat: Riparian thickets and woodlands
- Range: Western North America
- Diet: Insects like spiders, caterpillars, flies
Listen for the loud, ringing call of breeding Wilson’s warblers near streamsides and wet thickets. Scan the branches to spot a small, lemon-yellow body hopping actively in the foliage.
Lesser Goldfinch
The lesser goldfinch is a small finch species found along the Pacific Coast and Southwestern US. True to their name, males have smaller patches of bright yellow plumage compared to the American goldfinch. Their yellow coloring covers the belly, breast, and parts of the head.
Here are some facts about lesser goldfinches:
- Scientific name: Spinus psaltria
- Length: 3.5-4.3 inches
- Wingspan: 6-7.9 inches
- Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
- Habitat: Open woodlands, scrub
- Range: Southwestern US to West Coast
- Diet: Seeds, buds, insects
Look for lesser goldfinches foraging low in shrubs and thickets. Listen for their pleasant, tinkling calls, and watch for their acrobatic courtship flights in springtime.
Painted Bunting
Male painted buntings are aptly named, with shockingly beautiful plumage in vibrant hues of red, blue, green and gold. Their golden breast and underparts have an almost fluorescent lemon-yellow glow.
Here are some facts about painted buntings:
- Scientific name: Passerina ciris
- Length: 4.5-5.1 inches
- Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 inches
- Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz
- Lifespan: Up to 12 years
- Habitat: Thickets, woodland edges, brush
- Range: Southeastern United States
- Diet: Seeds, fruits, insects
This shockingly colorful songbird breeds in the southeastern US before migrating to Mexico and South America for winter. Listen for their rhythmic, excited song echoing from dense tangles of vegetation.
Conclusion
There are a number of birds that display beautiful, golden yellow plumage on their breasts and bellies. Some of the most likely candidates for a “golden breasted” bird include goldfinches, yellow warblers, yellow-breasted chats, eastern meadowlarks, hooded orioles, yellow-throated warblers, Wilson’s warblers, lesser goldfinches, and painted buntings.
The vivid yellow breast plumage seen in many species serves multiple important purposes. Bright colors help attract mates and warn potential predators that the birds may be toxic or distasteful. Yellow carotenoid pigments also contribute to immune function and overall health in many species.
In addition to color, look for key identification features like shape, behavior, song, and preferred habitat when trying to positively identify which specific golden breasted bird you’ve found. Equipped with the facts, range maps, and tips above you’ll be able to confidently identify the next golden-breasted bird you encounter.
Now get out birding and keep an eye out for flashes of gold in the treetops and brush. You’ll be rewarded with sightings of some of nature’s most colorful and remarkable feathered creatures.
