Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez.
The Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is a delightful warbler that captivates birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike with its vibrant colors and spirited behavior. Easily recognized by its striking yellow underparts and distinctive black “bandit” mask adorning the male’s face, this bird often announces its presence with its melodious “wichity-wichity-wichity” song, which typically resonates before the bird is seen. This vibrant call not only serves to mark territory but also enhances the male’s visibility in its habitat.
Photo by George Gentry, USFWS
One of the first bird species catalogued from the New World, the Common Yellowthroat was described by Linnaeus in 1766 based on a specimen from Maryland. The male, with his bold black mask, yellow throat, and olive-brown back, often becomes a focal point in marsh settings. In contrast, the female displays a more muted brownish-green plumage that allows her to blend seamlessly into her surroundings, an essential adaptation as she often nests in dense vegetation. This species thrives in marshes and other dense low growth, foraging for insects on the surfaces of plants. They may hover briefly to snatch insects from foliage or make short flights to catch prey mid-air, occasionally foraging on the ground.
While primarily found in marshes during migration and winter, the Common Yellowthroat can also be spotted in various brushy or wooded areas. Most southbound Common Yellowthroats move through Texas between early September and late October.
Males play an active role during breeding, feeding females on the nest during incubation. However, they are commonly parasitized by cowbirds, often abandoning nests containing cowbird eggs or those where their own eggs have been removed or damaged. Remarkably, they may construct a second or even third nest atop a parasitized one.
This warbler is unique among its kind for nesting in open marshes, making it a frequent inhabitant of reed beds and patches of cattails across North America. In spring, males arrive at breeding grounds ahead of females, establishing and defending their territories through vigorous displays of aggression. The black mask serves as a critical signal during these confrontations; when researchers attached a black paper mask to a stuffed female, males would attack the dummy, mistaking it for a rival.
A study conducted in 2001 revealed that the size of the black masks is associated with both social and extra-pair mating success. Males with larger masks were more likely to find a mate and had a higher chance of engaging in extra-pair fertilization. Typically, a male will mate with one female during a breeding season, but the female’s calls may attract additional mates, leading to potential extra-pair copulations.
While its population currently sits at 77 million according to Partners In Flight, this warbler has declined over the past 50 years. Collisions with windows and communication towers during nocturnal migrations are common hazards, often resulting in fatal injuries. Also, the degradation of marsh and wetlands has resulted in a steady decline of 0.6%. The preservation of marsh habitats is critical, as the loss of wetland environments due to urbanization and agriculture poses substantial risks to this charming songbird.
Featured photo: Color engraving by R. Havell, after drawing by John J. Audubon. Illus. in: The birds of America / John James Audubon. 4 vol. London, 1827-1838,
Sources include Texas Breeding Bird Atlas, Cornell Lab of Orinthology, and American Bird Conservancy
