Brian Doyle-Murray
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Learn how to identify 45 common yellow birds in North America by their appearance, behavior, and song. Find out where they live, when they migrate, and what they eat with pictures, facts, and links to more resources.
- American Goldfinch. “I photographed this male American goldfinch in my backyard in Foley, Minnesota. Goldfinches are the small yellow bird that made me fall in love with birdwatching!”
- Yellow Warbler. “One of the things I love about Wisconsin is the variety of birds that come here during spring migration. Warblers are the a delight to see.
- Prothonotary Warbler. “It was a very nice surprise to see a prothonotary warbler this spring in Ontario. Normally I have to travel a ways to see this small yellow bird.
- Female Summer Tanager. “The female summer tanager visits our backyard for mealworms,” writes William Palmer. The female is a solid small yellow bird, in contrast to the red male.
- Yellow Warbler. The yellow warbler is a New World warbler and the most widespread warbler species in the Americas. They completely embody what it means to be a yellow bird, with their buttery yellow plumage combined with sweet, whistling tunes during summer.
- American Goldfinch. We can’t have a list of yellow birds without mentioning the American goldfinch. These small North American finches undergo complete molts, where males are vibrant yellow during summer and olive in winter.
- Western Yellow Wagtail. The western yellow wagtail is a small passerine native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. They are slender birds with long, wagging tails, and their plumage consists of olive above and yellow below.
- Western Tanager. The western tanager is a medium-sized flame-colored American songbird. While its name says tanager, this species is actually in the cardinal family, even though it resembles the tanager species.
- American Goldfinch. Scientific name: Spinus tristis. Probably the most well-known yellow birds in the U.S., the American Goldfinch is a seed-eating bird that will take advantage of your backyard bird feeders.
- Western Tanager. Scientific name: Piranga ludoviciana. The Western Tanager is impossible to miss. Males sport a flame colored head and bright yellow belly, neck, and tail.
- Prairie Warbler. Scientific name: Setophaga discolor. The Prairie Warbler makes its home anywhere but the prairie. Deceptively named, this yellow songbird prefers to spend summers in young woodlands and dense, impenetrable brush in the southeastern United States.
- Scott’s Oriole. Scientific name: Icterus parisorum. The bright and beautiful Scott’s Oriole can be found in the U.S. southwest and Mexico. They prefer to nest where yucca plants are abundant, as well as pinyon pine, juniper and agave.
- American Goldfinch. Spinus tristis. Adults are 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm) long and weigh 0.4-0.7 oz (11-20 g). In summer, males are a vivid yellow with a black cap and black wings.
- Wilson’s Warbler. Cardellina pusilla. Adults are 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm) long and weigh 0.2-0.3 oz (6-8 g). Greenish and yellow coloring across the body, with gray-brown wings.
- American Yellow Warbler. Setophaga petechia. Adults are 4.7-5.1 in (12-13 cm) long and weigh 0.3-0.4 oz (9-11 g). Lemon-yellow across the whole body, with light chestnut streaks on the chest.
- Yellow-Rumped Warbler. Setophaga coronata. Adults are 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm) long and weigh 0.4-0.5 oz (11-14 g). Gray, with white wing bars and black on the chest.
Jan 25, 2024 · Learn how to identify yellow birds by their appearance, habitat, and behavior. See photos and descriptions of 26 common yellow bird species, from American Goldfinch to Great Tit.
Learn about the characteristics, habitats, and behaviors of 32 different species of yellow birds in the United States, from the common American Goldfinch to the rare Yellow-Headed Blackbird. This guide provides detailed descriptions, photos, and videos of each species, as well as information on their migration and breeding patterns.
