Weekend Birding: Yellow-throated Warbler
I saw this Yellow-throated Warbler when I was in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, several years ago. He was in the same group of palm trees as last week’s bird, the Hooded Oriole. I’m not sure if it was a male or female as they look similar. This little guy didn’t stay still for long. I only got a chance for a few shots and then he was gone.
This was another lifer bird for me. Yellow-throated Warblers are not often seen in Northern Illinois, preferring the warmer climate of the Southeastern US in the summer, and Central America, Eastern Mexico and the Caribbean in the winter. Smart birds.
Occasionally a bird will show up in a place it’s not expected to be found. In November, 2008, a Yellow-throated Warbler was sighted in Alberta, Canada at a backyard feeder and documented with photos.
This was big news in the birding community. If you report a rare bird, expect strangers to show up in your backyard. There really are rare bird hotlines and email lists, just like in the movie The Big Year.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
I love a bird with a good GPS! How in the world did that one warbler end up in ALBERTA? Hey, that’s way off course!
I always marvel at the spindly legs of birds. I’ve had toothpicks that ended up with more meat on ‘em!
I’m guessing the poor little guy got blown there in a storm. Amazingly they can survive the cold, the problem is finding food since this bird eats insects and there aren’t too many of those walking around in the frigid winter.
Superb! It would be a lifer for me too, but even that intrepid bird wouldn’t fly across the Atlantic – would it!
You’d have every birder in the country in your yard if one of these showed up!
How wonderful. It’s a very attractive bird.
I do think I’ve seen birds like that around here. I love the contrast of the bird and the palm tree he’s in.
Lots of brightly colored birds live in the south. Most of our winter birds are dull with the exception of the cardinal.
Great colors on that bird. And you managed to get a shot of him, I’m always amazed at that.
Sometimes I get lucky. I have a DSLR so it’s a fast camera. I got four shots and then he flew away. I was hoping he would pose because I’ll probably never see one of those again.
I love the white marking in contrast to the vivid yellow and the black. Great shot.
I believe it about the hot lines and such..I need to watch that movie! I love the swirly designs of the black and white pattern on his body!
It was a nice family movie with likeable characters and no sex, violence or explosions. Which probably explains why it was a box office flop. But if you like birds or outdoors, it’s a winner.
What a gorgeous bird! Love the color and personality.
I’m so fascinated by warblers … and wonder if I’ve ever seen one. I find them hard to identify… a few years ago, I went for a walk through The Rambles in Central Park and met two birders who were patiently waiting for a warbler sighting, as they’d gotten some email message that said there were a pair hanging out in The Rambles … I believe it about the hotlines of birder communication.
I have trouble with warblers too. And they are fast moving birds! That’s why I always carry my camera so later I can ID them. And I use the email hot line too. I keep hoping to see the Snowy Owl.
Excellent photo and so up-close too. An attractive little bird.
Love the colors on this little fella. So pretty!
In the first photo, he looks almost mad at you for daring to take his pic. Love it! The yellow on him is gorgeous.
I thought he looked a little grumpy too.
Great close-up that also shows off the detail in the tree. Thanks for sharing!
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That is a great photo. The markings over his eyes make him look a little pissed off. I wouldn’t want to cross him. Here’s Mine
So pretty! And I love the texture of the leaves in the picture. Great shot.
The birding community sounds like so much fun! I love the color contrasts with the stripes and the yellow chest.
I have met a lot of nice people while on bird walks. I bet your boys would love to go on one. My group encourages new people to attend and to bring their children. They will even lend binoculars.
Beautiful picture. I wonder how big this bird is. About the size of a robin? We don’t have leaves that big here, so it’s hard to judge. Unless he’s tiny, tiny, then we do have leaves like that, just not birds that size.
He was about 5.5 in or 14 cm, about the same size as a European Robin. The American Robin is a much bigger and not related bird. Those leaves on the palm tree were pretty big.
I’ve never seen birds like that before. I love the white lines on them!
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Leslie, I’m learning so much about birding from you! What lovely photos!!
He’s a handsome guy, isn’t he? Great pics, Leslie.
I love his stance in the first photo. He looks ready to take on the world.
Beautiful bird!
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What a gorgeous bird!
He’s beautiful! Great shot.
How pretty!