Mangrove Yellow Warbler Identification

A bright yellow warbler with varying amounts of chestnut on the head, found in the mangroves of Caribbean islands, the Galapagos, and coastal Central and South America. Adult males in the “Mexican” group, as well as most other mainland populations, have a fully chestnut head and a bright yellow body.

Occurs mainly in mangroves, but also found in neighboring woodlands, edges, and coastal scrub.

A bright yellow warbler of Caribbean islands, the Galapagos, and coastal Central and South America. Adult males on Martinique, as well as most mainland populations, have a full chestnut head and chestnut streaks on the breast.

Females are highly variable. Some are bright yellow overall and strongly resemble female Northern Yellow Warbler, but often show traces of chestnut on the throat and head.

Some females are duller yellow below with olive upperparts.

Aside from adult male’s chestnut head or crown, similar to Northern Yellow Warbler: a bright yellow warbler with a dark, beady eye; yellow feather edging on the wings; yellow tail and undertail coverts; and, in males, prominent chestnut streaking on the breast.

Some males have heavy chestnut streaking on the breast.

Males on most Caribbean islands have either a yellowish head or a chestnut crown patch.

Males on most Caribbean islands have either a yellowish head or a chestnut crown patch.

Martinique is the one Caribbean island where males have an entirely chestnut head, like most mainland populations.

In the Galapagos, this species occurs in all available habitats across the islands.

Some females are gray-headed, while others are yellow/olive-headed.

Some young females have a mottled yellow-and-gray appearance.

Some females are gray-headed, while others are yellow/olive-headed.