The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a small, vibrant songbird known for its striking mask and cheerful song. Males are particularly noticeable with their bright yellow throats and a bold black face mask, set against olive-green upperparts. Females, although less colorful, share the same yellow underparts and olive-green back but lack the male’s distinctive mask.
This bird is a master of disguise, favoring dense, low vegetation in marshes, wet meadows, and thickets. It's often heard before seen, its "witchety-witchety-witchety" call echoing through its habitat. During breeding, males become quite territorial, often seen flitting about and vigorously defending their space.
The Common Yellowthroat is a migratory species, spending summers across North America, from Canada to Mexico, and wintering in the southern United States and Central America. They are adaptive breeders, nesting close to the ground in dense cover, which helps protect their broods from predators.
As someone who grew up in Lake County, Illinois, I (Amy) could not be prouder of the County Board’s groundbreaking bird‑friendly ordinance passed in May 2025. Lake County became the first place in the nation to pass... Read more »
We’re thrilled to see Birdorable birds featured in a fun educational infographic related to an interesting study done by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan. The infographic is part of a public outreach effort to share results from a research project studying how... Read more »
We're celebrating New World warblers! This diverse family has over 100 recognized species. Here are some extreme facts about these amazing feathered friends. Smallest Warbler Species The smallest New World warbler is Lucy's Warbler, which averages just 4.2 inches tall. Lucy's Warbler by Read more »
The different New World warbler species have a lot in common with each other. They mostly feed on insects, they sing, they raise their young. But the nests they use have some variety. Some nest in trees, and some nest on or near the ground. They build cups,... Read more »
