Yellowthroat
Around the same time that the Cedar Waxwing chick hatched, we also welcomed two Common Yellowthroat chicks. The siblings hatched on June 18 and 19. Their arrival was very special to our team because we are the only facility in the world that breeds this species!
Male yellowthroats are easily identified by their bright yellow throats and the black mask around their eyes and face. In parts of the Midwest, this bird is called the “yellow bandit” because its facial markings bear a striking resemblance to the Lone Ranger’s mask!
To attract partners and defend their territory, the males sing Witch witch Song. When a female is interested, she flaps her wings and sings a series of high-pitched notes. After observing this courtship behavior, we provided them with the same nesting material as the Wood Thrushes and Cedar Waxwings to encourage them to build nests. In the wild, females nest in open marshes and search among brush and weeds for a well-hidden place to build their nest. To build it, they weave grasses and other plant material together to form a cup-shaped nest.
During the breeding season, yellowthroats feed primarily on insects, which they either pick from plant leaves or snatch from the air. We gave our pair plenty of insects to eat, including extra waxworms for the parents to feed their chicks.
Although we have bred these birds in the past, none of the chicks survived more than a few days. With each clutch, we learn more about the needs of the parents and chicks and can supplement their diets to help the chicks grow up healthy. Our team works closely with our veterinarians and nutrition team to refine our husbandry techniques.
We kept a close eye on this nest and were ready to step in and help if the parents needed extra help. This time they successfully raised their chicks. We are happy to report that the chicks fledged at around 10 days old and have been doing well since then.
Yellowthroats are commonly seen in residential areas around Washington, DC. Unfortunately, this species often collides with glass, resulting in injury or death. You can help these and other songbirds by treating the glass in your home with a bird-strike protection material or by applying tempera paint, which lasts a long time (even in rain), is nontoxic, and is easily removed with a damp rag or sponge.
Curious about courtship behavior? Zookeepers tell of some bizarre dating and mating behavior in Ducks of our lives. Would you like to meet our birds in person? Don’t miss the daily zookeeper demos! Check the schedule And Plan your visit.
