Your guide to eye catching yellow songbirds you can spot in backyards, forests, and along the lakeshore.
Birding in the Great Lakes region comes with one big perk: some of the most vibrant yellow birds in North America migrate through or live here year round. Whether you’re exploring a forest trail or watching feeders from your kitchen window, these species are some of the easiest to spot and the most rewarding to photograph.
Below are the standout yellow birds you’re likely to see in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario.
1. American Goldfinch
Where to see them: Backyards, weedy fields, meadows
When: Year round in most Great Lakes states
Why they’re so bright: Males turn brilliant sunflower yellow during summer.
Tips:
- Offer Nyjer (thistle) seed in tube feeders
- Plant coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and native thistles
- Look for their bouncy flight pattern
2. Yellow Warbler
Where to see them: Wetlands, shrubby edges, riversides
When: April–September
ID Notes: Entirely bright yellow with rusty streaks on the chest (males).
Photography tip: Early morning light brings out the warm golden tones perfectly.
3. Prothonotary Warbler
Where to see them: Swampy woods, flooded forests, slow moving streams
When: May–August
Why they’re special: A glowing lemon yellow head and chest almost tropical looking.
Great Lakes hotspots: Northern Ohio marshes, southern Michigan, western Lake Erie shoreline.
4. Common Yellowthroat
Where to see them: Marshes, cattail stands, wet thickets
When: April–October
ID Notes: Males have a bold black mask with a bright yellow throat.
Listen for: The “witchety-witchety-witchety!” call.
5. Baltimore Oriole (Females)
Where to see them: Backyards, forest edges, parks
When: May–August
Color: Females range from golden-yellow to deep orange.
Attract them with:
- Grape jelly
- Orange halves
- Sugar water in oriole feeders
6. Pine Warbler
Where to see them: Pine forests, mixed woodlands
When: Migration and breeding season depending on state
Color: Warm yellow with olive tones and white wingbars.
Fun fact: One of the few warblers that regularly visits feeders.
7. Yellow-throated Vireo
Where to see them: Mature woodlands
When: May–September
ID Notes: Bright yellow “spectacles” around the eyes and throat.
Behavior: Slow, deliberate forager and easy to spot once you get your eye trained.
8. Scarlet Tanager (Females)
Where to see them: Tall deciduous forests
When: May–September
Color: Olive yellow body with dark wings. Easy to confuse for a warbler.
Tip: Look high in the canopy; they love staying hidden.
9. Cape May Warbler
Where to see them: Spruce trees, pine forests, migration stopovers
When: Mostly during migration
Color: Yellow throat and face with chestnut cheek patch.
Great Lakes migration windows:
- Spring: May
- Fall: Late August–September
10. Wilson’s Warbler
Where to see them: Shrubby edges, thickets, cedar swamps
When: Spring & fall migration
Color: Bright yellow with a black cap (males).
Why photographers love them: They tend to forage low, making eye level shots easier.
Tips for Finding Yellow Birds in the Great Lakes
- Visit wetland edges early in the morning for warbler activity.
- Scan treetops during May for migrating species.
- Offer native plants and a clean bird bath. I talk everything bird baths HERE.
- Learn calls using Merlin or Audubon apps. Sound helps you find hidden birds fast.
Photography Tips for Yellow Birds
- Shoot during golden hour for richer tones.
- Use backlighting to make yellow feathers glow.
- Keep shutter speeds high becausewarblers don’t sit still!
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