Life List 064
Visually documented
Northern Yellow Warbler
Setophaga aestiva
- First photographed
- June 2, 2026
- First location
- Colorado, United States
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated
An evolving study
Northern Yellow Warbler portfolio
This collection grows as I return to photograph new behavior, habitat, seasons, and stages of life.
Natural history
Species at a glance
Setophaga aestiva
Overview
The Northern Yellow Warbler is a bright, active songbird of wet thickets and young woodland. It is a long-distance migrant and one of the most widespread breeding warblers in North America.
Identification
Males are yellow overall with olive-yellow wings and chestnut streaks on the breast. Females and immature birds are duller yellow with little or no streaking; dark eyes stand out on a relatively plain face.
Range
Breeds from Alaska and northern Canada through most of the United States. It migrates to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.
Habitat
Willow and alder thickets, riparian shrubs, wet woodland edges, regenerating forest, marsh margins, gardens, and orchards.
Diet
Caterpillars, beetles, flies, bugs, and other insects and spiders gleaned from foliage; occasionally small fruit.
Photography by Brittany Templin
Bring the story of the Northern Yellow Warbler into your project or space.
Continue exploring
Related encounters
103
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Setophaga coronata
085
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Geothlypis tolmiei
094
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas