Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Yellow-throated Warbler

ParulidaeForest birdsSetophaga dominica

Yellow-throated Warbler has surged: up 151% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+151%Since 1968
1,086Routes
58Years Surveyed

About the Yellow-throated Warbler

The Yellow-throated Warbler (Setophaga dominica) is a North American member of the Wood-Warblers (Parulidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
4.5–5.5 in long (11–14 cm) — a small, active songbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 1,086 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 28 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Family
Parulidae · Forest birds

Notable Yellow-throated Warbler Trends

long arc increasecomputed index

Yellow-throated Warbler has surged in surveyed states: up 151% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

Yellow-throated Warbler Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Yellow-throated Warbler is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.49 (95% range 0.41–0.56). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±9.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+1%Change by 2029
0.49Projected 2029 index
0.410.5695% range
±9.6%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.460.390.53
20260.470.400.54
20270.470.400.55
20280.480.410.55
20290.490.410.56

Where the Yellow-throated Warbler Is Detected

BBS routes recording Yellow-throated Warbler, sized by most recent count.

Yellow-throated Warbler Population Trend by State

Yellow-throated Warbler population trend by state.
Alabama+79%196892
Arkansas+162%196945
Californiainsufficient datan/a1
Delaware+107%197010
Florida+64%196871
Georgia+43%196890
Illinois+267%197236
Indiana+438%196948
Iowainsufficient datan/a1
Kansasinsufficient datan/a3
Kentucky+437%196860
Louisiana+68%196953
Maryland+538%196841
Michigan-24%19953
Mississippi+337%197443
Missouri+357%197351
New Jersey+160%19897
North Carolina+91%196896
Ohio15×196850
Oklahoma+329%196918
Oregoninsufficient datan/a1
Pennsylvania+64%197123
South Carolina+176%196843
Tennessee+341%196851
Texas+610%197145
Virginia+385%196850
West Virginia20×196853
Wisconsininsufficient datan/a1

Yellow-throated Warbler Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Yellow-throated Warbler population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
Edwards Plateau+257%19848
Oaks and Prairies+360%199215
Eastern Tallgrass Prairie14×197283
Prairie Hardwood Transition-42%199210
Central Hardwoods+352%1968146
West Gulf Coastal Plain / Ouachitas+110%196990
Mississippi Alluvial Valley+211%196936
Southeastern Coastal Plain+222%1968289
Appalachian Mountains+284%1968214
Piedmont+159%196898
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast+756%196851
Peninsular Florida+11%196834

Yellow-throated Warbler Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 151% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.