Summer Resident – Common Yellowthroat

My favorite summer warbler is the Common Yellowthroat. I am always on the lookout for a chance to catch them in the open for some photographs. They tend to stay deep in the low vegetation in wet areas and are in constant motion. Sometimes you only hear their “wichity-wichity-wichity” call and never get a clear look.

They are about 5 inches (13 cm) long and the males are quite colorful. They are a dull olive color with a yellow throat and upper breast. They have a large black mask across the face with a wide white border above. I think of the fictional El Zorro when I see them and maybe that is why they are a favorite. The certainly can be as elusive as “The Fox”.

Here’s one that flew in for a photoshoot that started with a little preening. He wanted to look his best!