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Yellow Warbler
Contour feather (body/breast feather)

Yellow Warbler

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Parulidae, Genus: Setophaga, Species: S. petechia

Family: Parulidae (New World Warblers)

Shape
Symmetrical vane, rounded tip, ovate outline
Size
Approximately 1.5 to 2 inches long, consistent with a small passerine body contour feather
Rarity
Common
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Description

The Yellow Warbler is a small, energetic songbird known for its brilliant golden-yellow plumage. Adults feature subtle reddish-brown breast streaks on males. They are active foragers, flitting through foliage in search of insects.

Colour & Pattern

Vibrant canary-yellow coloration with clean, solid tone, characteristic of ventral plumage in adult males; melanin-absent bright carotenoid pigmentation

Barb Structure

Pennaceous at the tip transitioning to plumulaceous (fluffy) at the base, with a small afterfeather

Texture & Surface

Soft, silky, and lightweight texture with a matte appearance across the pennaceous vane

Key Features

Uniform bright yellow coloration without wing bars or distinctive facial markings, distinguishing it from other warblers

Habitat

Found in riparian zones, brushy swamps, willow thickets, and open woodlands, typically near water

Geographic Range

Widespread breeding across North America, wintering in Central and South America

Ecological Role

Acts as an important insect predator, helping control populations of caterpillars, beetles, and other forest insects

Similar Species

Pine Warbler or Wilson's Warbler, though Wilson's has a distinct black cap and Pine Warblers have wing bars

Interesting Facts

Yellow Warblers are frequent victims of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds; they often build a new nest directly on top of the parasitized one to bury the foreign egg

Condition Notes

Good condition with intact barbs and clean vane structure, showing minor wear at the base

Yellow Warbler | Feather Identifier