Scientific Name: Geothlypis trichas
Nest Type: Cup
Nest Location: Ground, shrubs; 0-3'
Clutch Size: 3-6; avg. 3-5
Food: Insects
Foraging Guild: Foliage gleaner, hover glean, hawks
The Common Yellowthroat is probably the best-represented and evenly distributed
warbler species in the State (Janssen 1987). It also has a wide distribution across North
America, occurring throughout the United States and Canada (except the extreme north)
(Peterson 1980). The species arrives in Minnesota in late-April through late-May, and most
individuals have left by late October (Janssen 1987).
The Common Yellowthroat occupies a wide range of habitats throughout its range.
It prefers cattail marshes, grassy fields, thickets, and shrub areas (Roberts 1932, Harrison
1975). In forested zones, the species is most common in young regenerating stands
(Morgan and Freedman 1986), but also occurs in mature stands where pockets of wet
shrubs are present. Densities in the Superior National Forest were highest in regenerating
jack and red pine (Freedman et al. 1981) stands (2 to 3 pairs/40 acres) (Hanowski and
Niemi 1991b). Densities in the Chippewa National Forest were highest in tamarack, black
spruce, and mixed swamp conifer stands (14 to 4 pairs/40 acres) (Hanowski and Niemi
1991a).
The Common Yellowthroat places its nest just above the ground in weeds, reeds,
cattails, or shrubs (Harrison 1975). Four eggs are generally laid and incubation requires 12
days (Harrison 1975). The species primarily forages in shrubs where it gleans the
vegetation for invertebrate prey (Morse 1989).
The annual survival rate for Common Yellowthroats is estimated at 54% (Roberts
1971). The species' status in the State based on the Breeding Bird Survey roadside counts
has remained unchanged over the past 20 years (Janssen 1990). Nationwide trends
suggest that the species has declined by about 2% in the last ten years (Sauer and Droege
1992). Because of the species' affinity for shrubs, the status of the species will likely
increase in the State if suitable shrub habitat increases, especially those adjacent to or
within lowland deciduous and coniferous forests.
