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[[Image:Yellow_Warbler.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by kegressy]] | [[Image:Yellow_Warbler.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by kegressy]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | This is one of the most widespread warblers, showing great geographical variation. In the tropical parts of its breeding range this bird nests mainly in mangrove swamps, and there it may have a chestnut head or crown patch. In temperate North America the Yellow Warbler is one of the principal victims of the cowbird, which lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. A cowbird lays only one egg per foster nest, but she may lay eggs in four or five nests in a short time, thus jeopardizing many broods. If the female Yellow Warbler discovers a cowbird parasitizing her nest, she quickly covers the alien egg with a new foundation and lays another clutch. Occasionally a nest is found with up to six layers, each containing one cowbird egg. | + | This is one of the most widespread New World warblers, showing great geographical variation. In the tropical parts of its breeding range this bird nests mainly in mangrove swamps, and there it may have a chestnut head or crown patch. In temperate North America the Yellow Warbler is one of the principal victims of the cowbird, which lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. A cowbird lays only one egg per foster nest, but she may lay eggs in four or five nests in a short time, thus jeopardizing many broods. If the female Yellow Warbler discovers a cowbird parasitizing her nest, she quickly covers the alien egg with a new foundation and lays another clutch. Occasionally a nest is found with up to six layers, each containing one cowbird egg. |
==Identification: == | ==Identification: == | ||
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Moist thickets, especially along streams and in swampy areas; gardens. | Moist thickets, especially along streams and in swampy areas; gardens. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Distribution and Taxonomy== |
| − | Breeds from Alaska east across Canada to Newfoundland and south to southern California, northern Oklahoma, and northern Georgia; local in southern Florida. Winters in tropics. | + | Breeds within [[North America]] from [[Alaska]] east across [[Canada]] to [[Newfoundland]] and south to southern [[California]], northern [[Oklahoma]], and northern [[Georgia]]; local in southern [[Florida]]. Winters in tropics. Additionally found in a number of mainly non-migratory subspecies in [[Mexico]], the [[Caribbean]], [[Central America]] and northern [[South America]]. In total, there are thirtyfour subspecies, of which the group in the Caribbean previously was considered a separate species, the Golden Warbler. |
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
Voice: Song a bright, musical sweet-sweet-sweet, sweeter-than-sweet. Call a sharp chip. | Voice: Song a bright, musical sweet-sweet-sweet, sweeter-than-sweet. Call a sharp chip. | ||
Revision as of 03:21, 22 May 2007
- Dendroica petechia
Description
This is one of the most widespread New World warblers, showing great geographical variation. In the tropical parts of its breeding range this bird nests mainly in mangrove swamps, and there it may have a chestnut head or crown patch. In temperate North America the Yellow Warbler is one of the principal victims of the cowbird, which lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. A cowbird lays only one egg per foster nest, but she may lay eggs in four or five nests in a short time, thus jeopardizing many broods. If the female Yellow Warbler discovers a cowbird parasitizing her nest, she quickly covers the alien egg with a new foundation and lays another clutch. Occasionally a nest is found with up to six layers, each containing one cowbird egg.
Identification:
4 inches in length; thin, pointed bill; mostly yellow plumage; upperparts greenish-yellow; yellowish legs; plain yellow face with yellow eye ring around a dark eye. Male: Plumage golden yellow; rusty streaks on breast and flanks. Female and immature: Plain yellow plumage; streaks on the breast are absent or barely noticeable; some have pale gray wash to plumage (southwestern US).
Habitat:
Moist thickets, especially along streams and in swampy areas; gardens.
Distribution and Taxonomy
Breeds within North America from Alaska east across Canada to Newfoundland and south to southern California, northern Oklahoma, and northern Georgia; local in southern Florida. Winters in tropics. Additionally found in a number of mainly non-migratory subspecies in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. In total, there are thirtyfour subspecies, of which the group in the Caribbean previously was considered a separate species, the Golden Warbler.
Behaviour
Voice: Song a bright, musical sweet-sweet-sweet, sweeter-than-sweet. Call a sharp chip. Nesting: 4 or 5 pale blue eggs, thickly spotted with brown, in a well-made cup of bark, plant fibers, and down, placed in an upright fork in a small sapling.
