Weekend Birding: Common Yellowthroat
The Common Yellowthroat is a small songbird in the warbler family. They are spring and summer residents in most of North America and are one of the most numerous warblers. After the breeding season they migrate south and spend winters in the southern United State and in the tropics.
This is a male Yellowthroat. The females lack the black mask and the bright yellow color. I took this photo in May during migration.
This little guy was singing his heart out establishing his territory and trying to attract a mate. The males have a very distinctive witchety-witchety-witchety song making them easy to identify.
They can usually be found in open habitats such as marshes, wetland edges, and brushy fields. I hear them all summer when I walk through the prairie, wetlands or in open areas as they sing to mark their nesting grounds.
Saturday Snapshot was originated by Alyce at At Home With Books. For the summer it will be hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy. Visit her blog to see more great photos or add your own.
© 2013 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
Under My Apple Tree 
I think he was singing just for you! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these – at least not a male.
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They aren’t usually out in the open. I hear them a lot without ever seeing the bird. This one was nice enough to perch on a dead branch for a few minutes.
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This little guy singing makes me happy!
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After a long, quiet winter the song birds singing makes me happy too!
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That yellow stands out so well….love the bright colors on birds. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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I enjoy the brightly colored birds that arrive here each summer. Except for the Cardinal, bird colors are rather blah in the winter.
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I don’t often see warblers even though they’re common, but maybe not so common here. And this one I haven’t seen before. What a lovely photo!
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According to eBird you have them but probably not as high a density as in the Midwest. The way to find the bird is to learn it’s song. I always hear these little guys, first, then I locate the bird. I’m working on learning more bird songs this summer… I even have a CD that I listen to.
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Beautiful 🙂
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So beautiful! You take the most amazing photos of birds, Leslie!
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What a gorgeous bird! Love the yellow, and that you caught him singing!
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Great action photo Leslie – mid song! Well done 🙂
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He looks terrific and I love hearing his call. thanks for educating me again. Here’s Mine
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Beautiful bird…great photo.
THANKS for sharing.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Saturday Snapshot
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Great bird! My daughter loved him!
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What a gorgeous bird, I’d be so excited to see one of those! Thanks for including the link to the song too.
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these. A rather glorious fellow.
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I’m with beth – it’s a picture that makes me happy too! He’s so little but that’s not going to stop him 🙂
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I love that cutie:)
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What a capture! I love your bird photos.
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