Mangrove Yellow Warbler
Mangrove Yellow Warbler
Setophaga petechia
At a Glance
A widespread resident of tropical coasts and islands, this yellow sprite enters the United States only in southern Florida and on the extreme southern tip of the Texas coast. Very similar to the Northern Yellow Warbler, a migratory species found in summer throughout most of North America, it was considered part of the same species for many years. The Mangrove Yellow Warblers in southern Florida are most easily identified by range in early summer and midwinter, when Northern Yellow Warblers are absent from the area. In Texas, males are recognized by their chestnut-red heads.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Perching Birds, Wood Warblers
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Forests and Woodlands, Saltwater Wetlands, Shrublands, Savannas, and Thickets
Region
Florida, Texas
Behavior
Direct Flight, Flitter
Range & Identification
Migration & Range Maps
Unlike the Northern Yellow Warbler, the Mangrove Yellow Warbler is non-migratory. It can be found year-round throughout its range, including the southern tips of Texas and Florida.
Description
Both sexes — Length: 4.7–5.1 in (12–13 cm); wingspan: 6.3–8 in (16–20 cm); weight: 0.4 oz (11 g). Very similar to the Northern Yellow Warbler, the Mangrove Yellow Warbler has shades of yellow all over, with the dark eye conspicuous in the plain yellow face. Yellow edges on dark wing feathers, and yellow spots in the tail (most warblers have white spots). Much variation with geography. In southern Florida, males are very similar to Northern Yellow Warbler, but with a cap tinged more olive or pale reddish; females are often grayer or more whitish below. In southern Texas, adult males have most of their head dark chestnut-red.
Size
About the size of a Sparrow
Color
Red, Yellow
Wing Shape
Rounded
Tail Shape
Notched, Square-tipped
Songs and Calls
Call Pattern
Flat, Rising, Undulating
Call Type
Chirp/Chip, High, Whistle
Habitat
Mostly in coastal mangroves, also in adjacent woodlands. On some islands, such as some of the Lesser Antilles and the Galápagos, the Mangrove Yellow Warbler may be found in any wooded or brushy habitat.
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Behavior
Eggs
2 – 3, sometimes 1 – 4. Creamy white, with a variety of spots or blotches of brown and olive, usually concentrated around the large end. Incubated by the female for 10 – 14 days. The Mangrove Yellow Warbler is frequently parasitized by the Shiny Cowbird on islands in the Caribbean. May defend against parasitism by deserting the nest.
Young
Mainly brooded by female, but fed by both parents. Young probably leave the nest about 9 – 12 days after hatching.
Feeding Behavior
Forages from low levels up to treetops. The Mangrove Yellow Warbler takes insects from twigs and foliage, hovers briefly to take items from the underside of leaves, and flies out after flying insects. On small islands, it may expand its foraging out onto beaches or coastal rocks.
Diet
Mostly insects and other arthropods. The Mangrove Yellow Warbler feeds on many caterpillars of butterflies and moths, as well as various flies, beetles, ants, and other insects. Spiders and their eggs may be important food items at times. Also eats some small fruits.
Nesting
Males defend nesting territories by singing. Nest: placed in an upright fork or on a horizontal or diagonal branch, usually not close to the trunk, in dense mangroves or other low trees or shrubs, usually 2 – 15 ft above ground. Nest (probably built by female alone) is a compact, open cup of seaweed, grass, twigs, feathers, lichens, and moss, lined with many feathers and plant fibers.
Conservation
Conservation Status
Widespread and common, but some of the coastal habitats occupied by the Mangrove Yellow Warbler are probably vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels.
Climate Threats Facing the Mangrove Yellow Warbler
Choose a temperature scenario below to see which threats will affect this species as warming increases. The same climate change-driven threats that put birds at risk will affect other wildlife and people, too.
