Birds

Yellow Warbler

The Yellow Warbler is represenative of California's loss of wetland.
The Yellow Warbler is one of many California riparian birds that have declined due to loss of habitat.

A sure sign that summer is here, the Yellow Warbler's sunny presence is a delight for even the most novice birder. The male Yellow Warbler's song is equally as cheery as its coloring. In addition to their lovely song, this warbler communicates through touch and gesture.

Coloring is duller in female and juevenile birds, but the dark black eyes and oversized (for a warbler) beak make it unmistakeable. A typical warbler is 3.9–7.1 inches long and has a wingspan of 6.3 to 8.7 inches.

Audubon California's Working Waterways program is helping the warbler, and other riparian-dependent species, by helping private landowners establish riparian borders on along their sloughs and canals. The program works with local Resource Conservation Districts in the Sacramento Valley to build their capacity to help install more of these kinds of projects. By working with local groups to develop their technical expertise, as well as their understanding of the habitat needs of migratory and resident birds, Audubon is sharing the expertise it has developed over the last 15 years, working with farmers to reestablish native trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers on their field edges.

Yellow Warbler

Latin:  Setophaga petechia

Illustration for Yellow Warbler

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