15 Yellow Birds Brightening a Skyline Near You

One of the most well-known bright yellow birds, the American goldfinch sports a bright yellow body with distinctive black wings and a black cap. Males become even more vibrant during breeding season, while females have a more muted yellow-green hue.

These birds primarily eat seeds — especially sunflower seeds — and are a common sight in open woodlands and backyards.

The yellow warbler is a small bird with bright yellow plumage and faint reddish streaks on its breast. Found across North, Central and South America, this bird species thrives in wet meadows and open woodlands.

Yellow warbler males sing a sweet, whistling song during breeding season to attract mates and defend their territory.

Western tanagers are colorful birds with yellow bodies, black wings and a striking, orange-red head. They migrate between the western United States and Central America, often foraging for insects in coniferous forests.

Despite their tropical appearance, western tanagers breed in North America and are known for their melodic calls.

With a striking bright yellow head and a contrasting black body, the yellow-headed blackbird is hard to miss.

These birds prefer wet meadows and marshes, where they nest in large colonies during summer. Yellow-headed blackbird males defend their territories with a distinctive, harsh call that sounds almost mechanical.

The yellow-throated vireo has a bright yellow throat and olive green upperparts, making it one of the more subtly colored yellow birds.

This bird species is found in open woodlands across North and Central America. Their slow, deliberate movements and thick, musical song make them a favorite for birdwatchers.

A small but striking warbler, the common yellowthroat has a bright yellow throat and a bold, black mask across its face. These birds prefer wetlands and brushy habitats, where they hunt insects among dense vegetation. Males are known for their distinctive “witchety-witchety” song.

The yellow-breasted chat is a large bird with a bright yellow breast and olive green back.

Unlike most birds in the warbler family, it has a wide variety of vocalizations, including whistles, clucks and even mimicry of other species. It thrives in open grasslands and shrubby habitats across North America.

One of the few warblers that nests in tree cavities, the prothonotary warbler has a bright yellow body and blue-gray wings. It is commonly found in swamps and wetlands in the southeastern United States and northern South America.

These birds are named after the bright yellow robes worn by certain clergy members in the Catholic Church.

Known for its distinctive black markings on its chest and a bright yellow belly, the western meadowlark is a symbol of open grasslands.

These birds are famous for their flute-like song, which echoes across prairies in the United States and southern Canada. They primarily eat insects and seeds, making them an important part of their ecosystem.

Native to southern Africa, the southern masked weaver is a bright yellow bird with a black face and striking red eyes. Males are known for their incredible nest-building skills, weaving intricate hanging nests to attract females.

These social birds often live in large colonies, creating a noisy, lively environment.

A cheerful yellow bird with an orange crown, the saffron finch is commonly found in South America. These birds thrive in open grasslands and urban areas, often foraging for seeds on the ground. They are popular among bird enthusiasts due to their beautiful coloration and lively songs.

The golden tanager is a small bird with golden-yellow plumage and dark blue markings on its wings and back. Found in the cloud forests along the east coast of South America, this bird species feeds on fruit and insects. Its bright colors make it one of the most striking birds in its range.

This large bird has a mostly black body with a bright yellow rump and piercing blue eyes.

Native to Central and South America, the yellow-rumped cacique is known for its complex, chattering calls. It builds long, hanging nests in colonies high in the treetops, creating a dramatic sight in the rainforest.

The bananaquit is a small, energetic bird with a bright yellow belly and a curved beak perfect for sipping sweet nectar.

Found in the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America, these birds are frequent visitors to flowering plants. Their acrobatic movements make them a joy to watch as they dart between blossoms.

A tropical species with a bright yellow feathers and black wings, the yellow oriole is found in northern South America, mostly concentrated in Colombia and Venezuela. It builds hanging nests in palm trees, providing a safe place for its eggs.

These birds primarily eat fruit and nectar, making them important pollinators in their ecosystems.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.