Yellow Birds in Texas – Identification Guide

Yellow birds may be seen all year in Texas, since some breed here in the summer as well as others migrate here during the winter.

The most frequent year-round yellow birds in Texas are White-eyed Vireos, Western Meadowlarks, as well as Great Crested Flycatchers.

This guide can help you identify yellow birds you’ve seen in Texas by providing photos, identifying information, as well as information on when they migrate in as well as out.

According to our checklists, these are the yellow birds that are most regularly seen in Texas in May and June, as well as November and December.

So keep reading to find out what those yellow birds are.

Spring/Summer Yellow Birds in Texas

1. White eyed Vireo 19
2. Western Meadowlark 16
3. Western Kingbird 15
4. Scarlet Tanager female 13
5. Great Crested Flycatcher 11
6. Lesser Goldfinch 10.5
7. Yellow Warbler 8
8. Common Yellowthroat
9. Orchard Oriole Female 6.9
10. Eastern Meadowlark 5.92

Yellow Birds in Winter in Texas

1. Yellow-rumped Warbler 38
2. Orange-crowned Warbler 24
3. American Goldfinch 21
4. Cedar Waxwing 13
5. Eastern Meadowlark 8
6. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 7.9
7. Pine Warbler 7.6
8. Common Yellowthroat 6
9. Lesser Goldfinch 5.7
10. White eyed Vireo 5

1. Yellow-rumped Warbler

In the winter, Yellow-rumped Warblers are the most frequent yellow bird in Texas. They normally arrive in September as well as October as well as start migrating north in the spring around mid-March.

Yellow-rumped Warblers have a gray body with yellow flashes on the face, flanks, as well as rump, as well as white wings. Females are somewhat browner than males, as well as winter birds are lighter brown with brilliant yellow rumps as well as flanks, which become bright yellow as well as gray in spring.

They move in vast numbers south after breeding mostly in Canada, over most of the southern as well as central states, the Pacific Coast, as well as into Mexico as well as Central America.

• Length: 4.7-5.5 in (12-14 cm)
• Weight: 0.4-0.5 oz (12-13 g)
• Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)

During the breeding season, Yellow-rumped Warblers may be found in coniferous woods. They may be seen in open places with fruiting bushes throughout the winter. In the summer, they consume predominantly insects, as well as during migration, they eat mostly fruit, such as bayberry as well as wax myrtle. In the winter, they eat mostly fruit, including bayberry as well as wax myrtle.

Sunflower seeds, suet, raisins, as well as peanut butter may all be used to attract Yellow-rumped Warblers to your yard.

2. Orange-crowned Warbler

Orange-crowned Warblers are another yellow winter species seen in Texas, coming in September as well as departing in mid-February.

With its yellow-olive coloration, which is more yellow on the Pacific Coast, Orange-crowned Warblers are not as vividly colored as other warblers. The orange crown is uncommon.

• Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (7-11 g)
• Wingspan: 7.5 in (19 cm)

Before traveling to the Pacific, East, as well as Gulf Coasts, as well as Mexico, they breed in Canada as well as western states. During migration, Orange-crowned Warblers may be spotted in all 50 states.

Orange-crowned Warblers breed in open forest as well as may be seen among shrubs as well as low vegetation.

Insects as well as spiders, such as spiders, caterpillars, as well as flies, make up the majority of their food. Fruit, berries, as well as seeds are also favorites, as well as they frequent backyard feeders.

To attract more Orange-crowned Warblers to your yard, use suet as well as peanut butter or hummingbird feeders with sugar water nectar.

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3. American Goldfinch

In the winter, American Goldfinch are ubiquitous yellow birds in Texas. In September as well as October, they come, as well as in March as well as April, they go.

The males of American Goldfinches have a striking yellow as well as black plumage in the spring. Males as well as females are both drab brown in the winter.

• Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
• Weight: 0.4-0.7 oz (11-20 g)
• Wingspan: 7.5-8.7 in (19-22 cm)

Most of North America is home to American Goldfinches. Before moving to the southern states, they breed in Canada as well as the Mid-West. In the remainder of the United States, they are present all year.

They forage on sunflower, thistle, as well as aster plants in weedy fields as well as overgrown places. They’re also prevalent in parks, backyards, as well as suburbia.

Plant thistles as well as milkweed in your yard to attract more American Goldfinches. Most bird feeders will attract them, as well as they like sunflower as well asnyjer seed.

4. White-eyed Vireo

Image Credit: eBird

White-eyed Vireos are year-round residents of Texas as well as are regular sightings.

Gray as well as yellow tones on a little songbird. White-eyed Vireos have a gray head, white breast as well as neck, yellow sides with darker wings as well as two white wingbars with black streaking, as well as two white wingbars with black streaking.

They have yellow around their eyes as well as on their forehead, as well as a white eye.

• Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (10-14 g)
• Wingspan: 6.7 in (17 cm)

Summering in the southern United States, hiding in thickets as well as out of sight. They spend the winter on the east coast, in Mexico, as well as in the Caribbean.

Insects, flies, as well as spiders are eaten by White-eyed Vireos in overgrown pastures as well as brambles.

5. Western Meadowlark

Western Meadowlarks are present in Texas throughout the year, although their numbers rise in the winter.

Western Meadowlarks may brighten your day with their beautiful yellow bellies as well as delightful voice. This is most likely why they are so popular, to the point that they are the official bird of six states.

Western Meadowlarks are blackbirds with brown as well as white upperparts with a black V-shaped band across the brilliant yellow breast that fades gray in the winter.

Breeding in the northern United States as well as Canada before going south. Those in the west as well as middle of the country stay all year.

Western Meadowlarks may be found foraging on insects as well as seeds from weeds as well as seeds in grasslands, meadows, as well as fields, either alone or in small groups.

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6. Western Kingbird

Throughout the summer, yellow birds known as Western Kingbirds may be seen in Texas. In April, they come, as well as in August as well as September, they go.

Huge flycatchers with yellow bellies, white chests, gray heads, grayish-brown wings, as well as a darker tail, Western Kingbirds are large flycatchers with yellow bellies, whitish chests, gray heads, grayish-brown wings, as well as a darker tail.

• Length: 7.9-9.4 in (20-24 cm)
• Weight: 1.3-1.6 oz (37-46 g)
• Wingspan: 15.0-16.1 in (38-41 cm

In the summer, they reproduce in the western states of the United States, the plains region, as well as into Canada.

Before traveling to Mexico as well as Central America, they are a common sight throughout the summer. Some may spend the winter in Florida’s south.

They like open environments as well as are often seen sitting on fences as well as utility wires, waiting for insects to fly past before grabbing them mid-flight.

They are often seen on the border of forests, where they may nest in the trees as well as feed openly. They will also build their nests in man-made buildings.

Making your yard insect-friendly as well as growing elderberry or hawthorn, which they will eat the fruit from, can attract more Western Kingbirds.

7. Scarlet Tanager female

During the spring migration in April as well as May, scarlet tanagers may be seen in Texas. Between September as well as December, a few are seen, although not very often.

Scarlet Tanagers have vivid red plumage, black wings, as well as black tails. Females have darker wings as well as tails than males.

• Piranga olivacea
• Length: 6.3-6.7 in (16-17 cm)
• Weight: 0.8-1.3 oz (23-38 g)
• Wingspan: 9.8-11.4 in (25-29 cm)

In the summer, they reproduce in eastern woodlands before travelling to South America.

Because they like to remain high in the forest canopy, Scarlet Tanagers might be difficult to notice.

Plant berry plants including blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, juneberries, serviceberries, mulberries, strawberries, as well as chokeberries to attract more Scarlet Tanagers.

8. Cedar Waxwing

In the winter, the yellow Cedar Waxwing is a frequent sight in Texas. Some may be seen as early as August, but the majority come in November as well as remain until May.

Cedar Waxwings are graceful sociable birds with a light brown head, breast, as well as crest that fades to gray on the back, wings, as well as tail.

The tip of their tail is brilliant yellow, as well as their belly is pastel yellow. Their eyes are hidden under a tight black mask, as well as their wingtips are blazing red.

• Length: 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)
• Weight: 1.1 oz (32 g)
• Wingspan: 8.7-11.8 in (22-30 cm)

Cedar Waxwings breed in Canada as well as then migrate to the southern United States for the winter. They are, nevertheless, year-round residents in northern US states.

They may be found in berry bushes, forests, as well as streams, as well as have a high-pitched cry.

Plant natural trees as well as shrubs bearing tiny fruit, such as serviceberry, dogwood, juniper, winterberry, as well as hawthorn, to attract Cedar Waxwings to your yard. Fruit can also be used in platform feeders.

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9. Great Crested Flycatcher

In Texas, Great Crested Flycatchers may be seen all year, although they are most prevalent between April as well as October.

The back of a Great Crested Flycatcher is brown, with a yellow belly as well as gray throat. The wing as well as tail feathers exhibit crimson flashes. The crest isn’t really noticeable.

• Length: 6.7-8.3 in (17-21 cm)
• Weight: 0.9-1.4 oz (27-40 g)
• Wingspan: 13.4 in (34 cm)

Great Crested Flycatchers spend the winter in southern Florida, southern Mexico, as well as Central America, where they nest.

They sit high in the trees, waiting for huge insects like butterflies, grasshoppers, moths, wasps, as well as spiders to fly by. They may be seen in mixed forests, clearings, parks, tree-lined neighborhoods, as well as perched on fenceposts as well as other man-made structures. They’ll eat berries as well as tiny fruit as well.

Plant native plants as well as leave brush piles to attract insects to your yard to attract more Great Crested Flycatchers. Plant berry-producing plants as well as erect a nest box since they like to live in them.

10. Lesser Goldfinch

Throughout the year, Lesser Goldfinches are a frequent yellow bird in Texas.

Lesser Goldfinches have long pointed wings as well as short notched tails as well as are little brilliant yellow as well as black songbirds. Females have a dull yellow underbelly as well as olive backs.

• Length: 3.5-4.3 in (9-11 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (8-11.5 g)
• Wingspan: 5.9-7.9 in (15-20 cm)

Lesser Goldfinches spend the whole year on the Southwest as well as Westcoast, however some may migrate down from higher altitudes during the winter.

Large flocks of Lesser Goldfinches may be found in open settings such as thickets, weedy fields, woodland clearings, parks, as well as gardens. They forage on seeds, particularly sunflower seeds, as well as fruits from elderberry, coffeeberry, as well as cottonwood, willow, sycamores, as well as alders, as well as buds from cottonwoods, willows, sycamores, as well as alders.

Sunflower seeds as well asnyjer in tube feeders or platform feeders can attract more Lesser Goldfinches to your yard.

11. Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warblers may be observed in Texas during migration in the spring as well as autumn. Only a few people stay here all year.

Yellow Warblers are little brilliant yellow birds with a yellow-green back as well as chestnut stripes on the breast that may be seen in the summer.

• Length: 4.7-5.1 in (12-13 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.4 oz (9-11 g)
• Wingspan: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)

Yellow Warblers fly a long way to breed over most of North America before wintering in Central as well as Northern South America.

They may be observed in the extreme south during migration.

Yellow Warblers may be seen foraging on insects such as caterpillars, midges, beetles, bugs, as well as wasps near streams as well as wetlands in thickets as well as along the borders of fields.

Warblers are difficult to lure to your yard since they are timid as well as consume mostly insects, but suet, oranges, as well as peanut butter may help.

12. Eastern Meadowlark

Image credit: Wikipedia

Throughout the year, Eastern Meadowlarks are a frequent yellow bird in Texas.

A medium-sized songbird with brilliant yellow undersides as well as a light brown back with black markings. A prominent black ring runs over their breast.

• Length: 7.5-10.2 in (19-26 cm)
• Weight: 3.2-5.3 oz (90-150 g)
• Wingspan: 13.8-15.8 in (35-40 cm)

They may be seen throughout the year in the eastern United States, as well as they will breed in the northeast as well as into Canada before moving south.

They consume insects as well as may be found in meadows as well as plains. In the winter, they congregate in big flocks in fields in search of seeds.

13. Common Yellowthroat

Yellowthroats are plentiful throughout the year in Texas, although their numbers peak during migration in the spring as well as early winter.

Tiny songbirds with brownish backs, bright yellow breasts, lighter yellow stomachs, as well as long tails, Common Yellowthroats are small songbirds with brilliant yellow breasts, paler yellow bellies, as well as long tails. The guys wear a black mask that covers their whole face. The intensity of the yellow varies by location, as well as certain areas under the surface may seem more olive.

• Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.3 oz (9-10 g)
• Wingspan: 5.9-7.5 in (15-19 cm)

Except for Alaska as well as northern Canada, Common Yellowthroats spend the summer mating season over much of North America. Along the Gulf Coast as well as in the Pacific Southwest, some stay all year.

In the spring as well as summer, they may be found in marshy or wetland locations, as well as brushy fields, where they live in dense, tangled vegetation.

They consume mostly insects as well as may be found in vast, densely vegetated backyards.

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14. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers are seasonal visitors to Texas, arriving in September as well as October as well as departing in March as well as May.

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The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a little bird that is similar in size to a robin. They are mostly black as well as white, with red foreheads as well as a red throat on the male. Their bellies are a light golden color with many patterns.

Length: 7.1-8.7 in (18-22 cm)
Weight: 1.5-1.9 oz (43-55 g)
Wingspan: 13.4-15.8 in (34-40 cm)

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker breeds in Canada as well as the northern United States, then migrates to the southeastern United States, Central America, as well as the Caribbean for the winter.

Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers bore holes in trees as well as extract sap using their brush-tipped tongues. Look for them on young paper birch, yellow birch, red or sugar maple, as well as hickory trees, as they form clean horizontal rows of holes.

To keep the sap flowing, the holes must be kept clean. They have a loud mewing cry as well as normally lay 5 to 6 white eggs in tree holes.

15. Pine Warbler

Pine Warblers may be seen all year in Texas.

Pine Warblers are little yellow birds with olive backs, yellow throats, chests, as well as upper stomachs, white lower bellies, as well as gray wingbars. They have olive backs, yellow throats, chests, as well as upper bellies, as well as white lower bellies. Females might have a browner complexion as well as a whiter belly.

• Length: 5.1-5.5 in (13-14 cm)
• Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (9-15 g)
• Wingspan: 7.5-9.1 in (19-23 cm)

Before going south, they breed in the Northeastern United States. Some, though, stay in the Southeastern United States throughout the year.

Pine Warblers, as its name suggests, may be found in pine woods, frequently high in the trees. They consume caterpillars, beetles, spiders, as well as other insects as well as larvae, as well as fruit as well as seeds as the weather becomes cooler.

Tube as well as platform feeders filled with millet, broken corn, sunflower seeds, peanut hearts, as well as suet will attract more Pine Warblers. Also, natural fruits as well as vines including bayberry, grape, sumac, as well as Virginia creeper should be planted.

16. Orchard Oriole Female

Between April as well as October, Orchard Orioles are widespread in Texas. During the spring as well as autumn migrations, their numbers also grow.

Female Orchard Orioles are greenish-yellow in color with lighter underbelly as well as darker back, darker wings, as well as white wingbars. Males have black heads as well as backs, as well as reddish undersides, which distinguishes them from females.

• Length: 5.9-7.1 in (15-18 cm)
• Weight: 0.6-1.0 oz (16-28 g)
• Wingspan: 9.8 in (25 cm)

In the summer, Orchard Orioles breed in the Midwest as well as East before traveling south to Mexico as well as Central America.

Orchard Orioles prefer open woods, although they may also be seen near river sides, open shrubland, farms, as well as backyards. They make pouch-like nests that dangle from the ceiling.

Ants, caterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers, as well as spiders make up the majority of their food. They will also consume mulberries as well as chokeberries, as well as sip nectar from flowers.

Hummingbird feeders or platform feeders with sliced oranges or mango can attract Orchard Orioles to your yard. Plant native berry plants like mulberries as well as chokeberries as well.

17. American redstart female

During the spring as well as autumn migratory seasons, American Redstarts may be seen in Texas.

Female American Redstarts have olive-gray sides, wings, as well as tails with vivid yellow spots. Male American Redstarts have a white lower belly as well as are black as well as brilliant orange in color.

• Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
• Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz (6-9 g)
• Wingspan: 6.3-7.5 in (16-19 cm)

They have a large breeding range that stretches from the eastern United States as well as Canada to the western United States as well as Canada. They may also be found in central states during migration.

They may be observed eating insects in deciduous forests as well as berries such as serviceberry as well as magnolia in backyards as well as thickets.

18. Magnolia Warbler

Magnolia Warblers may be seen migrating through Texas in the spring as well as autumn.

Although they are not as colorful as some of the easy-to-see warblers, they are more numerous on low branches, making them simpler to identify during migration.

Male Magnolia Warblers have a black back as well as yellow underbelly. They have black streaks running down their stomachs from a ‘necklace’ on their necks. Females have a grayer back as well as don’t have the unique streaking along the stomach.

• Length: 4.3-5.1 in (11-13 cm)
• Weight: 0.2-0.5 oz (6-15 g)
• Wingspan: 6.3-7.9 in (16-20 cm)

Magnolia Warblers breed in woods in Canada as well as the Northeastern United States. They may be observed in the Eastern United States during migration.

They spend the winter months throughout Central as well as South America, as well as the Caribbean.

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19. Baltimore Oriole Female

During their spring as well as autumn migrations, the Baltimore Orioles stop in Texas. Only a few people stay here all year.

Female Baltimore Orioles are yellowish below as well as on the head, grayish-brown on the wings, as well as brownish-yellow on the backs. Adult males have brilliant orange as well as black wings with white wing bands.

• Length: 6.7-7.5 in (17-19 cm)
• Weight: 1.1-1.4 oz (30-40 g)
• Wingspan: 9.1-11.8 in (23-30 cm)

Baltimore Orioles breed in eastern as well as central North America from April to July, then travel to Florida, Central America, as well as the Caribbean for the winter. They weave amazing hanging bag-like nests out of fibers.

Baltimore Orioles may be seen foraging for insects as well as fruit in open woods, riverbanks, as well as forest margins, as well as they often visit parks as well as backyards. Fruit as well as insects make up their food.

Cut oranges in halves as well as place them on a platform feeder or hang them from trees to attract more Baltimore Orioles to your yard. Oriole feeders with sugar water are also available.

20. Wilson’s Warbler

Except in June as well as July, Wilson’s Warblers are yellow birds in Texas throughout the most of the year.

Wilson’s Warblers are little yellow warblers with a black male cap as well as an olive female cap.

• Length: 3.9-4.7 in (10-12 cm)
• Weight: 0.2-0.3 oz (5-10 g)
• Wingspan: 5.5-6.7 in (14-17 cm)

Wilson’s Warblers breed in Canada, Alaska, as well as the northwest United States, although they may be observed in all 50 states during migratory. In the winter, they spend time in Mexico as well as Central America.

Look for Wilson’s Warblers in thickets beside waterways.