While hiking in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, I noticed this distinctive bird. The Yellow-throated Warbler is a small, migratory songbird of the south, that can occasionally be found in my home state.
The Yellow-throated Warbler breeds in a relatively narrow range across the southeastern United States. Its breeding range extends from as far north as southeastern Virginia, southern Ohio, and Missouri.
With its bright yellow throat and chest, olive-green back, white belly, and black mask, this bird has a striking appearance that makes it stand out among other warblers.
In the Midwest, they are typically found in riverside groves of Sycamores. The song of the Yellow-throated Warbler sings a lively series of clear, whistled notes that are often described as cheerful or bubbly.
This bird is are insectivorous, but also includes a considerable amount of berries and nectar in its diet outside the breeding season. Insects are typically picked off tree branches directly, but flying insects may be caught in the air.
John James Audubon painted the Yellow-throated Warbler for his famous “Birds of America” series. He gave it the name “Children’s Warbler” because its bright colors reminded him of the clothes children wear.