Nicknames: Sycamore warbler
Claim to fame: Yellow-throated warblers are brightly marked birds that are much more often heard than seen. Because of their striking coloration and their secluded habits, sightings of these birds are considered notable events, even among experienced birders. Even though it's only midsummer, these birds are already thinking about fall migrations. Middle to late July is when warblers begin eating heavily and gaining weight for their migratory trips in the fall.
Species status: Despite their seldom-seen reputation, yellow-throated warblers are found throughout southern Missouri in the summer.
Discovered: The first taxonomic description of the yellow-throated warbler was written by naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century.
Family matters: Yellow-throated warblers belong to the bird family Parulidae, a group more commonly known as the wood warblers. Most species in this family are brightly marked birds that have thin, needlelike bills. Most members of this family have some yellow in their coloration.
Length: 5 to 5.5 inches
Diet: Caterpillars, beetles, moths, grasshoppers, crickets and spiders
Distinguishing characteristics: The yellow-throated warbler can be distinguished by its yellow throat, white belly and black and white head. Black streaks border the breast. Yellow-throated warblers also have a white stripe over each eye and two white wing bars and black stripes on the side. Like most other bird species, these colors and markings are most distinct in breeding males in the spring. The yellow-throated warbler's song is a series of clear ringing notes descending in pitch, increasing in speed and rising abruptly at the end ("teeeew-teeeew-teeeew-tew-tew-twl").
Habitat: Yellow-throated warblers will breed and nest in a variety of wooded habitats, but in Missouri, they prefer sycamores, willows, box elders and other trees that grow in riparian (stream) areas. The bird usually nests high in the tree canopies of densely timbered areas, which contributes to its lack of visibility. Nests are sometimes built as high as 50 feet off the ground, which makes it difficult to make nesting observations and is a major reason there is a scarcity of data about the nesting and fledging habits of this species.
Life cycle: In Missouri, the yellow-throated warbler is strictly a summer resident, in greatest abundance in the southern part of the state. They begin appearing here and building nests in April. Nests are built of grasses, bark, weeds and caterpillar silk, and lined with down and feathers. Four greenish eggs with purple, red or brown marks are laid. It's presumed hatching is 12 to 13 days. The latter part of July and early August is when Missouri's warbler species begin to feed heavily and gain weight. This is in preparation for southerly migrations, which take place in late August or September. They winter in the Gulf Coast, Central America and northern parts of South America.