The brightest color nearby often catches everyone’s attention, and nothing beats a bold, cheery yellow. Birds can come in nearly any color imaginable, but yellow is by far the most eye-catching.
So, when we spot yellow birds in nature, it’s normal to feel excited and amazed.
Are There Yellow Birds in North America?
If you live in North America, there are lots of native yellow birds.
You might not see them every day, but if you keep an eye out, you’re sure to see birds with yellow feathers now and then. Some of these birds are completely yellow while others have a yellow pattern paired with other colors.
Set up some bird feeders and take more nature walks if you’re hoping to see more of these birds than usual.
North America’s Yellow Birds
There are tons of yellow birds with a range from Canada to Mexico. Below are a few of the most common and distinctive ones native to North America.
American Goldfinch (Yellow & Black Bird)
The American goldfinch is one of the most iconic yellow birds.
The males are bright yellow with a black forehead and wings. Nonbreeding males and females have dull gray-yellow coloring instead.
They’re found across the United States, along with parts of Canada during the breeding season and parts of Mexico during the nonbreeding season.
These birds molt their feathers in the late summer and late winter. After molting in winter, males have brighter yellow feathers than usual to help them attract mates.
Yellow Warbler (Both Sexes Entirely Yellow)
Both male and female yellow warblers are completely covered in bold yellow feathers.
They spend their breeding range across most of North America, and then they migrate down to Central America and Northern South America for their nonbreeding season.
These beautiful yellow birds are great at adapting to new situations. They thrive in all types of environments, even at 9,000-foot elevations in aspen forests.
Prothonotary Warbler (Yellow & Gray Bird)
This warbler species is just as bright as the yellow warbler, but it’s not completely yellow.
These vibrant birds have yellow heads and bodies, but their wings and tails are gray. Males are fluffier with bolder colors than females.
During the breeding season, they’re found across the Eastern United States, but they migrate down to Mexico and Northern South America.
The name “prothonotary” is another name for papal clerks in the Roman Catholic church. So, these birds got their name after the bright yellow robes those individuals sometimes wear.
Western Tanager (Male is Yellow & Black with Red Face)
Male western tanagers have bold yellow coloring with black wings and red/orange faces. The females are harder to spot since they’re a dull gray-yellow color.
They’re found across the Western side of North America. They stay north when breeding and then migrate south.
To attract females, the males tumble past females to show off their colors. When doing so, females will see a flash of yellow, black, and red, which might pique their interest.
Summer Tanager (Female is Yellow-Green)
Male summer tanagers are bright red, but the females have yellow feathers all over instead. So, it’s easy to distinguish between the two.
These birds breed mostly in the Southern United States, and then they migrate to Mexico and Northern South America.
These yellow birds are good to have around because they regularly eat wasps. They eat the larvae but also catch adult wasps in mid-air. They rub them against a branch to remove the stinger before eating.
Evening Grosbeak (Yellow, Black & Gray Bird)
Mature males of this species have gorgeous patterns that include bright yellow with patches of gray, black, and white. The females are mostly gray but still have hints of yellow in their feathers.
They don’t have a regular migration pattern, so they live across most of the United States and Canada.
These birds have large, thick beaks, which can crack through seeds with hard shells. They don’t seem to sing any songs, and the only sounds they make are soft chirps.
Magnolia Warbler (Yellow-bellied Bird)
Magnolia warblers are little gray birds with stunning bright yellow bellies. The males have black streaks on the yellow while females don’t.
These birds typically breed across Canada, migrate across the Eastern United States, and spend the nonbreeding season in Mexico.
These yellow birds got their name after Alexander Wilson found one in a magnolia tree in 1810. The species was first called “black-and-yellow warbler,” but “magnolia warbler” was the name that stuck.
Pine Warbler (Yellow & Gray Bird)
A pine warbler’s feathers are a mix of yellow and gray, with females having slightly duller colors.
They’re mostly found across the Eastern United States. The ones living further north typically migrate south, but the ones living in the Southeastern United States stay there year-round.
These birds may develop differently depending on their diets. Pine warblers that eat mostly seeds have larger gizzards, making their digestion process take longer. Ones eating mostly fruit have longer intestines and can digest food faster.
Hooded Warbler (Mostly Yellow with Black Hood)
Female hooded warblers are mostly yellow, but males have dull yellow bodies with bright yellow around their eyes while the rest of the head is black.
These yellow birds live across the Eastern United States when breeding and eventually migrate down to Mexico and Central America.
Male hooded warblers try returning to the same breeding spot every year. Both males and females can be highly territorial, causing them to scare other birds away from their space.
Audubon’s Oriole (Yellow & Black Bird)
These gorgeous orioles have bright yellow bodies with pitch black heads, wings, and tails.
They only live in parts of Mexico, sometimes reaching Southern Texas. They don’t migrate, so they live in the same area year-round.
Audubon’s orioles are shy and usually keep to themselves, making them harder to spot in their small range. You will usually hear their loud whistles before seeing their bold yellow feathers.
More Yellow Birds in North America
Have you seen yellow birds that don’t match the description of any of the above species? Here are some other popular birds with yellow feathers across the continent:
- Canada Warbler
- Cape May Warbler
- Common Yellowthroat
- Dickcissel
- Eastern Meadowlark
- Lesser Goldfinch
- Nashville Warbler
- Prairie Warbler
- Scott’s Oriole
- Townsend’s Warbler
- Verdin
- Western Kingbird
- White-Eyed Vireo
- Wilson’s Warbler
- Yellow-Breasted Chat
- Yellow-Headed Blackbird
- Yellow-Throated Vireo
Have You Seen These Yellow Birds in North America?
Now that you know some of the stunning yellow birds to look for, keep an eye out as you explore the outdoors. You might be surprised by how many birds with bold yellow coloring are living right by your own home.
