The yellow warbler is a small, brightly colored bird that breeds in North America and winters in Central and South America. This warbler has a bright yellow body and chestnut streaks on its breast. The male has rusty streaks on his back and chestnut streaking on the head. Females are duller in color than males. The yellow warbler is sometimes called the “wild canary” because its song is very similar to the domestic canary.
Quick Answer: The yellow warbler is native to North America
The yellow warbler breeds throughout much of North America and winters in Central and South America. Its breeding range extends from Alaska across Canada to Newfoundland, south throughout the contiguous United States, and into Mexico. Some key details about the yellow warbler’s native range include:
- Breeds across all of Alaska except the northern coastal region
- Breeds across all of Canada from the Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland and Labrador
- Breeds throughout the contiguous United States, except for the Southwestern deserts
- Breeds in parts of northern Mexico
- Winters along the Pacific and Gulf coasts of Mexico, in Central America, and throughout northern and western South America
So in summary, the yellow warbler is native to North America for breeding and winters further south in the Americas.
Breeding Range
The yellow warbler has an extremely widespread breeding range across North America. It breeds in a variety of open habitats with dense shrubs from Alaska and Canada south throughout the continental United States and into Mexico.
Alaska and Canada
In Alaska, the yellow warbler breeds across the mainland except along the northern Arctic coast. It is absent as a breeder on the Aleutian Islands. The yellow warbler’s breeding range covers all of Canada from the Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland and Labrador. It occupies habitats across the boreal forest, aspen parklands, and temperate rainforests. Some key areas it breeds in Canada include:
- Across the boreal forest from Yukon east to Labrador
- In the aspen parklands of central Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
- Throughout British Columbia including coastal and interior temperate rainforests
- Along riparian areas and thickets across the Prairie provinces
- Across Ontario and Quebec north of the Great Lakes
- Throughout all maritime provinces including Newfoundland and Labrador
Continental United States
The yellow warbler breeds across the entire contiguous United States except for the drier Southwestern desert regions like southern California, southern Nevada, southern Arizona, and western Texas. It occupies habitats including wetlands, riparian zones, shrublands, pastures with shrubs, orchards, and parks. Some details on key breeding areas include:
- Pacific Northwest – breeds along coastal areas and riparian zones west of the Cascades
- California – breeds along the northern coast and in the Sierra Nevada range
- Rocky Mountains – breeds in riparian willows and mountain shrublands
- Great Plains – scattered breeding in riparian areas, shelterbelts, and wetlands with shrubs
- Eastern U.S. – widespread breeder in shrubby wetlands, thickets, and riparian zones
- Southeastern U.S. – very common breeder in shrubby wetlands, scrub, and open woodlands
Mexico
The yellow warbler has a limited breeding range in Mexico. It breeds in northern Mexico in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges. Its breeding range extends south to central Mexico just northwest of Mexico City.
Wintering Range
The yellow warbler migrates long distances from its widespread North American breeding range to winter primarily in Central and South America. Its winter range extends from Mexico south to Peru and Brazil.
Mexico
In Mexico, the yellow warbler winters along both the Pacific and Gulf coasts. Important wintering areas include coastal regions of Sonora and Sinaloa on the Gulf of California as well as coastal Chiapas and Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico.
Central America
The yellow warbler winters across Central America from Guatemala south to Panama. It occupies a variety of wooded habitats including open woodlands, plantations, mangroves, and scrub. Some yellow warblers winter as far south as central Panama.
Caribbean Islands
The yellow warbler is a regular winter resident and migrant on many Caribbean islands. Important wintering locations include the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles.
Northern South America
In northern South America, the yellow warbler winters south to Venezuela and Colombia on the Atlantic coast. On the Pacific coast, it winters south to Ecuador and northern Peru. It occupies wooded and shrubby habitats in these regions.
Amazon Basin
The yellow warbler winters in parts of the Amazon Basin in Brazil, especially along rivers and in open woodlands. Its winter range extends as far south as central Brazil.
Migration
The yellow warbler is a long-distance migrant, traveling between its breeding range in North America and wintering range in Central and South America. It migrates at night and winters almost entirely outside of North America.
In fall, yellow warblers migrate south beginning in late July and August. They migrate through the eastern United States to Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Mexico. West of the Rocky Mountains, they migrate along the Pacific Coast to Mexico and Central America. Peak fall migration occurs in late August through September.
Spring migration north begins in late March and April from the wintering grounds. Yellow warblers migrate north through Central America and Mexico to reach the U.S. by May. Spring migration peaks from late April to mid May. They arrive on their breeding grounds by late May and throughout June.
Migration Route Map
Here is a map showing the migration routes and wintering areas of the yellow warbler:
As this map shows, yellow warblers migrate south in a broad front across North America in fall. Spring migration north follows similar pathways back to the breeding grounds.
Habitat
The yellow warbler breeds in a variety of open habitats, especially those with dense shrubs. It requires areas of dense vegetation for nesting and foraging. During the winter, it occupies wooded and scrub habitats further south.
Breeding Habitat
On the breeding grounds, the yellow warbler inhabits wetlands, riparian zones, thickets, shrublands, orchards, forests with openings, parks, and pastures with shrubs. Key habitat requirements are:
- Presence of dense shrubs or small trees, 6-13 feet tall
- Open areas for foraging, with shrubs scattered through
- Wetland habitats including wet meadows, shrub swamps, wet thickets
- Riparian areas along streams and lakes with dense willow growth
Some typical habitats occupied for nesting include:
- Willow and alder shrub thickets
- Early successional forest with shrubby undergrowth
- Overgrown fields and pastures
- Hedgerows and fencerows
- Swampy areas with shrubs and small trees
- River and stream riparian zones
Wintering Habitat
On the wintering grounds, the yellow warbler occupies a broader range of wooded habitats. It favors areas with a well developed understory layer and openings. Typical winter habitats include:
- Tropical rainforests
- Mangrove forests
- Open woodlands
- Scrub and thickets
- Forest edges and gaps
- Timber plantations
- Parks and gardens with trees and shrubs
Yellow warblers forage and nest low in the understory of these habitats, especially along edges and gaps with dense vegetation.
Diet
The yellow warbler is insectivorous, feeding almost exclusively on insects and other small arthropods. Its diet varies seasonally depending on prey availability.
Summer Diet – Caterpillars, Spiders, Beetles
In the summer breeding season, the yellow warbler feeds heavily on caterpillars that become abundant as leaves flush out on deciduous trees and shrubs. It also eats spiders, beetles, ants, bees, wasps, and other flying insects.
Winter Diet – Insects, Fruit
During the winter and migration, yellow warblers supplement their diet with berries and other small fruits. But insects like beetles, ants, wasps, and flies make up the majority of their diet year-round.
Foraging
The yellow warbler makes short flights from perches to capture insects. It mainly gleans prey from foliage while moving through branches. But will also hawk flying insects, especially later in summer. Much of its foraging occurs in the lower canopy and shrub layer.
Nesting
The yellow warbler nests in shrubs and small trees, usually from 3-10 feet above ground. Nests are open cups made of plant fibers and spider webs, often located along a horizontal branch. Females lay 3-6 eggs and incubate them for 11-12 days. Chicks fledge from the nest in another 9-12 days.
Nest Site
Yellow warblers nest in upright forks or along horizontal branches of shrubs and trees. Typical nest sites include:
- Willow, alder, and birch shrubs
- Dogwood, viburnum, and other small shrubs
- Saplings of aspens, maples, oaks
Nests are usually 3-10 feet above ground concealed by foliage. Proximity to open space for foraging is important.
Nest Construction
Female yellow warblers build the nest over a period of 3-9 days. The nests are small open cups 3-4 inches across and 2-3 inches tall. They are constructed of thin dry plant fibers, grasses, cattail down, and spider silk.
Clutch Size
Clutch size ranges from 3-6 eggs, usually 4-5. The eggs are pale pinkish or cream colored with reddish brown spots.
Incubation
Only the female incubates the eggs. Incubation lasts for 11-12 days before the eggs hatch.
Nestlings
Both parents feed the nestlings with insects. Nestlings fledge from the nest 9-12 days after hatching. The family may stay together for up to 2 weeks after fledging.
Population and Conservation
The yellow warbler has an extremely large breeding range across North America. Its population is estimated at 82 million birds and is considered stable. Yellow warblers face threats from habitat loss on the breeding and wintering grounds.
Population Estimate
According to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, the total adult population of yellow warblers is estimated at approximately 82 million birds. Trend data indicates the population has been stable in recent decades.
Population Threats
On the breeding grounds, loss of wetlands and shrublands has caused declines in some regions. On the wintering grounds, deforestation is a threat. Collisions with buildings and towers during migration are also a significant source of mortality.
Conservation Status
The yellow warbler has a very large range and high total population. Its global conservation status is Least Concern. But local populations may be threatened by habitat loss on the breeding or wintering grounds. Preserving shrubland habitats and reducing collisions are conservation priorities.
Fun Facts
- The yellow warbler has one of the longest migrations of any North American warbler – up to 15,000 km round trip!
- Yellow warbler songs have been described as a “sweet-sweet-I’m-so-sweet” warbling.
- Yellow warblers in the west are a bright yellow, while in the east males have chestnut streaking on the breast.
- Nests with eggs or young are sometimes parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds.
- Alexander Wilson gave the yellow warbler its scientific name in 1810.
Conclusion
In summary, the yellow warbler is native to North America for breeding. It has an extensive breeding range across the continent from Alaska to Newfoundland and south to Mexico. Yellow warblers migrate long distances to winter in Central and South America from Mexico south to Brazil. They inhabit open habitats with dense shrubs and prefer wetlands, thickets, and riparian areas for nesting. Yellow warblers feed on insects gleaned from foliage. They are common breeders across North America and their population appears stable.
