Yellow-throated Warbler on Christmas Bird Count

                                                        Yellow-throated Warbler  [Bev Schneider Photo]

On the Mactaquac Christmas Bird Count held on January 1, 2024 a Yellow-throated Warbler,  Setophaga dominica, was recorded.  There was open water on the St. John River at that time in the Keswick area and I asked permission to pass through a friend’s property to get a good view of the open water.  When returning to my car I stopped to chat and as I was about to leave she mentioned a little bird that had been coming to her feeder for about 2 weeks.  She did not know what it was but sent me a photo later in the day — a Yellow-throated Warbler.  I watched the feeder the next day and confirmed the identification.  See the photo above for the Yellow-throated Warbler feeding on suet.  There were many feeders in the area and the bird much preferred suet and at that particular feeder.

For a complete life history of this species and the likelihood of its occurring here in New Brunswick, please search this blog for, 'Yellow-throated Warbler'.  

                                                Yellow-throated Warbler  [Internet Photo]

The Yellow-throated Warbler breeds normally in the southeastern United States where it is fairly common.  Here it is rare but in late years we find one or two in the late fall or winter.  Last winter (2022-2023) I recorded one in the same count circle (Mactaquac) although it was found at a feeder across the river in the Kingsclear area. 

                                                    Yellow-throated Warbler  [Bev Schneider Photo]

On its breeding grounds the behaviour of the Yellow-throated Warbler is interesting.  Unfortunately we don’t get to see this because this species is rarely here in summer.  It feeds from the bottom of the tree upward and likes to bury itself in the dense foliage.  It loves treetops and often sings from there.  It buries itself in cone and leaf tangles and periodically shows itself.  This and the fact that it is usually at the tops of the trees makes it difficult to see.  On the breeding grounds it shares this habit with the Pine Warbler and has to be distinguished from it when one catches a quick view of the bird.  The Yellow-throated Warbler is a methodical feeder hopping along tree limbs, hanging upside down, probing with its long bill into cones and leaves and sometimes clings to the tree trunk.  If a cluster is hard to reach it will hover near it to feed.  

The song is described as 'simple and sweet’.  It is easy to remember.  It is loud and melodic starting with a series of tee tee tee … and ends with a too too sweet.  I have heard its song in South Carolina where it was on its breeding territory but never here in NB.  

The Yellow-throated Warbler should be spending its winter in the area from South Carolina southward, with the majority of them in eastern Mexico and the Caribbean.  This species is described as a harbinger of spring.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be waiting for early Yellow-throated Warblers to arrive?  In the southern part of its range they arrive in early March.  In the northern part they arrive in April.  

I think New Brunswick has had at least two Yellow-throated Warblers this winter.  It appears that we are seeing more of them in late years, although the numbers are very low.  Perhaps this species is expanding its range as a result of habitat loss or global warming.  The individual we found this year is alive and doing well so far.