34 Yellow Birds That Call South Dakota Home

Yellow birds can be found in South Dakota, either as residents, migrants, or rare visitors. These birds come in different sizes, but they all share one common characteristic: they have a bright and vivid yellow plumage that adds color to the state’s natural surroundings.

The yellow hue can vary from a sunny, lemony tone to a mellow, golden shade, being highly attractive to bird enthusiasts and casual hikers alike.

Here, we will explore some of the yellow birds that can be found in South Dakota, providing interesting facts and information about their appearance, behavior, and habitat.

So, let’s start our journey and get to know these charming birds better.

1. American Robin

The American robin is a migratory bird, belonging to the true thrush genus and Turdidae family.

It was named after its European counterpart due to the similar reddish-orange breast they both possess; however, they are not related closely.

This species can be seen through most of North America during winter months, as well as in parts of Mexico and Central America where it also breeds.

They have plump bodies with gray upperparts and white underparts that vary from yellow on their throats down to orange toward their bellies.

Robins feed on fruits such as berries or insects like worms which makes them an important part of ecosystems by helping disperse seeds naturally throughout these areas.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Turdidae
Genus	Turdus
Species	T. migratorius

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2. American Goldfinch

The American goldfinch is a small North American bird in the finch family. Males are vibrant yellow with black wings and tails, while females are duller in coloration.

It migrates from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, south of Canada–United States border to Mexico for its wintering grounds.

The only finch that undergoes complete molt every year, displays sexual dichromatism where males have brighter colors than their female counterparts.

They feed mainly on seeds but also eat insects such as aphids and caterpillars when raising young; they often occur near thistles or other plants that produce viable seed heads.

Their call consists of an array of chirps and trills making them quite conspicuous.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Spinus
Species	S. tristis

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3. Western Meadowlark

The western meadowlark is a medium-sized icterid bird native to North America. It has a distinct yellow breast with black and white patches, making it easy to spot in open grasslands.

Its diet consists of mostly bugs but also includes seeds and berries. The western meadowlark’s call is unique – its sound is described as flute-like or watery, differentiating it from the similar eastern meadowlark species.

When the nesting season arrives, they build their nests on the ground near shrubs or low trees in areas like fields and pastures.

This beautiful songbird adds life to our open lands with its melodious tunes.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Sturnella
Species	S. neglecta

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4. Baltimore Oriole

The Baltimore Oriole is a small, blackbird-like bird found in eastern North America. It’s named for the resemblance of its male colors to those on Lord Baltimore’s coat-of-arms from the 17th century.

These birds migrate and breed during springtime and are quite common in their habitats.

Studies have shown that this species interbreeds with western Bullock’s orioles, leading both to be classified as a single species – Icterus galbula.

The males typically have orange feathers along the chest, back, wings, and tail while females display tan or yellowish shades instead of bright orange ones like males do.

Both sexes share white wing bars and dark brown eyes which makes them easily distinguishable among other birds.

They can often be seen flitting around trees feeding off nectar buds or insects such as grasshoppers & caterpillars they catch while flying around.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Icterus
Species	I. galbula

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5. New World Warblers

New World warblers are an incredibly diverse family of small birds found only in the Americas. They range in size from tiny hummingbirds to large thrushes and come in a variety of vibrant colors.

All have thin bills made for eating insects which form their main diet. Most species live predominantly arboreal lives, meaning they spend most of their time among trees or bushes searching for food.

However, some members such as ovenbirds and waterthrushes prefer more terrestrial habitats like forest floors where they can scavenge for bugs on the ground instead.

Warblers provide a great source of entertainment with their beautiful songs often filling up woodlands during mornings and evenings throughout springtime.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Superfamily	Emberizoidea
Family	Parulidae Wetmore et al., 1947

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6. Common Starling

The Common Starling is a medium-sized passerine bird that belongs to the Starling family. It has glossy black plumage with a metallic sheen, and at certain times of the year, it can be speckled with white.

The bill and legs are typically pink or black depending on the season, while its length measures about 8 inches long.

Its diet consists mainly of insects but also includes small fruits and seeds as well as some human food waste.

They live in large flocks that protect predators, although they can become quite aggressive when defending their nesting sites during breeding seasons.

Overall, this species is highly adaptable and widely distributed across many parts of Europe making them one of the most successful birds in the region today.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Sturnidae
Genus	Sturnus
Species	S. vulgaris

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7. Yellow-Rumped Warbler

The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a migratory bird species that can be found throughout North America.

It has an extensive range, from the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the US to Canada and Central America, with a concentration in northern areas during the breeding season.

These birds migrate southwards for wintering grounds where they find plentiful food sources such as insects and berries.

They are easily identified by their yellow patches on either side of their tails, along with white underparts, gray back feathers, and two distinct crown stripes.

One black or greyish-brown above the eyes extends towards its neck banded in yellow or light brown coloration.

Furthermore, these warblers have strong legs which allow them to cling onto branches while hunting for prey making them adept at maneuvering through tree cover quickly.

Altogether this makes the Yellow-rumped Warbler an attractive backyard visitor year round.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. coronata

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8. Lesser Goldfinch

The Lesser Goldfinch is a tiny species of bird found in the Americas. It belongs to the same clade as American goldfinches and Lawrence’s goldfinches, which can be identified by their males having black or rarely green foreheads.

The face appears red or yellow on these birds, unlike other species in its genus Spinus sensu stricto.

They are small songbirds with short bills, brown wings and tails with white edges, grey-brown backs, and olive heads.

These birds inhabit open woodlands and fields where they feed mainly on seeds from weeds such as thistle, pigweed, and ragweed but also consume insects at times during the breeding season for additional nutrition.

In addition to being an important part of North America’s avian ecology, these birds have been popularized through recent artwork depicting them in various poses among flowers.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Spinus
Species	S. psaltria

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9. Canada Warbler

The Canada warbler is a small songbird of the Parulidae family, native to North America. It has olive-green upperparts with yellow underparts and white wing bars, making it easily identifiable.

During summer months they are found in Canada and northeastern United States while during winter their range extends to northern South America.

Mathurin Jacques Brisson was the first to describe this species in 1760 after he collected a specimen from Canada; which resulted in its French name Le gobe-mouche du Canada (Canada’s flycatcher).

Its diet consists mainly of insects such as beetles and mosquitoes, but also includes berries occasionally.

With an estimated population of 5 million individuals, they remain common across much of their range although numbers have been declining due to habitat loss caused by human development activities like logging or agricultural expansion.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Cardellina
Species	C. canadensis

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10. Cape May Warbler

The Cape May Warbler is a species of New World warbler that breeds in northern North America, ranging from southern Canada to the Great Lakes region and New England.

During wintertime, it migrates to the West Indies. This bird is an uncommon vagrant in western Europe with two records so far in Britain as of 2013.

It gets its name from being first discovered near Cape May, New Jersey back in 1811 by Alexander Wilson who noted its yellow breast plumage and black streaking on his specimen’s sides.

The males are more brightly colored than females but both sexes have white eye rings which help distinguish them from other warblers during migration season.

They mainly feed on insects and can often be seen foraging at high levels up amongst trees or shrubs where they tend their nests containing 3-5 eggs each breeding season between April – June.Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. tigrina

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11. Eastern Meadowlark

The Eastern meadowlark is a medium-sized blackbird, found from eastern North America to northern South America.

It used to be considered the same species as the Western meadowlark but has since been separated into its distinct species.

The bird is mainly brown with yellow underparts and an orange patch on its throat; it also has white wing bars which can be seen in flight.

Its song consists of a series of musical whistles followed by gurgling notes at the end, earning them their nickname “rainmaker” birds because they are believed to bring rain if heard singing during dry weather.

These beautiful birds feed mostly on insects, seeds, and other plant material while nesting amongst grasses or low shrubs near open fields where there’s plenty of food available for them.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Sturnella
Species	S. magna

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12. Pine Warbler

The Pine Warbler is a small bird from the New World Warbler family, with an olive-brown upperparts and white belly.

Its distinguishing features include two white wing bars, dark legs, thin pointed bills, and yellowish ‘spectacles’ around its eyes.

Adult males have bright yellow throats and breasts on top of their olive upper parts; females and immatures are less vibrant in color but retain similar characteristics.

These birds can be found near pine forests throughout North America during the summer months before migrating to warmer climates for winter.

They feed mainly on insects such as caterpillars, spiders, and flies while also consuming fruits like blueberries when food becomes scarce in colder times of the year.

All in all, these tiny songbirds provide us with much beauty through their unique plumage patterns whilst serving important roles within their ecosystems.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. pinus

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13. Scarlet Tanager

The Scarlet Tanager is a beautiful medium-sized bird found in parts of North and South America. It belongs to the Cardinal family and has striking red plumage with black wings and tail feathers.

Its song is similar to other cardinals yet also unique in its way – it’s recognizable by its high whistles that become lower towards the end.

The species feeds mainly on insects as well as berries from trees or shrubs during the breeding season, when they may form loose flocks over open woodlands foraging for food.

They are highly territorial birds during nesting season which happens between April and June each year; both males and females fiercely defend their nests against intruders such as cats or squirrels.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Piranga
Species	P. olivacea

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14. Red Crossbill

The Red Crossbill is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family. It has distinctively crossed mandibles, which it uses to extract seeds from conifer cones and other fruits.

This species can be identified by its vivid colouring; males are red or orange in hue whilst females tend to have more green or yellow feathers.

Furthermore, there is considerable variation between individuals of this species when it comes to their beak’s size and shape as well as their calls—which range from short trills through chirps and harsh cackles up to loud rattling sounds at times.

They’re an interesting sight in many parts of Europe, particularly during winter months where they often feed on pine cone seeds that drop down onto lower branches of trees.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Loxia
Species	L. curvirostra

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15. Evening Grosbeak

The Evening Grosbeak (Hesperiphona vespertina) is a beautiful passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae native to North America.

It has an impressive wingspan of up to 20 inches and its plumage is mostly black, yellow, or grey with distinctive white patches on each side of its head.

Its diet consists mainly of seeds and other plant matter as well as small insects, fruit, and berries when available.

The male’s song is loud and melodic which can be heard from some distance away during breeding season making it a popular species for avid backyard birders.

The Evening Grosbeak typically nests high in coniferous trees where they build cup-shaped structures lined with feathers or grass that protect predators.

Overall this species makes an excellent addition to any backyard aviary.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Fringillidae
Subfamily	Carduelinae
Genus	Hesperiphona
Species	H. vespertina

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16. Western Kingbird

The Western kingbird is a large tyrant flycatcher native to western North America. It has striking plumage, with gray and yellow feathers tinged with crimson during courtship or when defending territory from intruders.

As is characteristic of its kind, the Western Kingbird exhibits highly territorial behavior towards other birds in its area.

They are found as far south as Mexico, inhabiting open habitats near bodies of water such as rivers and lakes.

While their primary diet consists of insects like bees and flies that they catch mid-flight, it also includes fruit for variety during winter months.

The species have recently seen an increase in population due to conservation efforts that aim to protect these beautiful creatures.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Tyrannidae
Genus	Tyrannus
Species	T. verticalis

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17. Dickcissel

The Dickcissel is a small migratory bird belonging to the Cardinalidae family. It breeds in grasslands of the Midwestern US, and winters in Central America, northern Colombia, and Venezuela.

Being the only member of its genus Spiza, it stands out from other birds with its distinctive song that sounds like “dick-sis-sel”.

With a light brown body and black streaks on its wings as well as chestnut-colored shoulders and crowns, these birds are quite attractive to watch.

They also have short bills which they use while foraging through tall prairie vegetation or searching around fence posts for insects.

Although not endangered yet, their population has declined due to loss of habitat caused by human development so conservation efforts should be taken up soon.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Spiza Bonaparte, 1824
Species	S. americana

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18. Orange-Crowned Warbler

The Orange-crowned Warbler is a small songbird from the New World warbler family. It was formally described in 1822 by Thomas Say, who gave it its scientific name Sylvia celatus – Latin for ‘cloaked’.

This species has an olive-green back and wings with yellowish underparts. The males have bright orange crowns during breeding season, which gives this bird its namesake.

They can be found mainly in North America but they also migrate to Central America during winter months.

Their diet consists of insects such as butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, and beetles; they may also consume fruits occasionally when available.

These birds are relatively quiet except for their mating calls which include whistles or buzzing sounds that last a few seconds long each time.

The Orange-crowned Warbler is one of the most widespread passerines today due to their hardiness and adaptability; however, there remains the threat of habitat destruction that could affect many populations negatively if not addressed soon enough.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Leiothlypis
Species	L. celata

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19. American Yellow Warbler

The American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) is a species of New World warbler found across North America, the Caribbean, and into northern South America.

Its genus name Setophaga comes from Ancient Greek words meaning “moth” and “eating”, while its specific name Petechia originates from Italian for small red spots.

This bird has striking yellow plumage with reddish-brown streaks on their chest that can be seen during mating season when they are most colorful.

They live in open woodlands near wetlands or bodies of water where they can find food such as insects like spiders, beetles, and caterpillars which make up much of their diet.

The male will sing to attract a mate during the breeding season before setting up a home in twig nests built by both sexes together high in trees or shrubs.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. petechia

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20. Yellow-Headed Blackbird

The yellow-headed blackbird is a medium-sized bird with striking features – its head and neck are bright yellow, while the rest of its body is black.

It has large eyes, a pointed bill, and long wings that help it to soar through the air.

The species gets its name from Greek words meaning ‘yellow’ (xanthous) and ‘head’ (cephalus).

This species can be found in wetlands across North America during summer months where they feed on insects and other invertebrates such as snails, earthworms, spiders, and crustaceans.

During winter months they migrate southward for food or when temperatures drop too low for their comfort.

They also form flocks which makes them more visible than solitary birds like hawks or owls. Yellow-headed Blackbirds make beautiful sounds that echo around wetland areas; these melodic calls bring joy to many nature lovers.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Xanthocephalus Bonaparte, 1850
Species	X. xanthocephalus

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21. Western Tanager

The Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) is a medium-sized songbird belonging to the cardinal family, Cardinalidae. It was illustrated and formally described by American ornithologist Alexander Wilson in 1811.

The species has distinctive plumage including yellow feathers on its wings and tail, red shoulders, a black head with a white forehead patch, and grayish underparts.

Its vocalizations are also very similar to other members of the cardinal family – they have a high-pitched ‘tsee’ note followed by several sweeter notes that come together as parts of complex songs.

They primarily feed on fruit but will also take insects when available for extra protein during the breeding season.

These beautiful birds can be found throughout western North America from Alaska down through Mexico making them an iconic part of many landscapes.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Piranga
Species	P. ludoviciana

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22. Orchard Oriole

The Orchard Oriole is a small species of icterid bird, with the subspecies I. s. fuertesi is sometimes considered its separate species are known as the Ochre or Fuertes’ Oriole.

The adult male of the nominate subspecies has chestnut upperparts and black wings and tail, while females are more yellowish-green in coloration on their back and wings.

Its bill is pointed, black with some blue-gray at the base of its lower mandible.

This beautiful bird can also be found across North America during migration season; they inhabit woodlands near streams or rivers to breed before migrating south for winter months.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Icteridae
Genus	Icterus
Species	I. spurius

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23. Common Yellowthroat

The Common Yellowthroat is a small, New World Warbler found throughout North America. It has distinctive yellow and black plumage that earned it the nickname “Yellow Bandit” in the Midwest United States.

This species is highly adaptable and can be found inhabiting wetlands, grasslands, shrubland habitats, as well as suburban areas.

The genus of this bird’s scientific name translates to mean ‘ground’ and ‘small bird’, which are fitting characteristics for such an elusive yet common little creature.

Its diet consists predominantly of insects but may also include other invertebrates like spiders or worms.

Overall the Common Yellowthroat makes an excellent addition to any backyard with its cheerful song.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Geothlypis
Species	G. trichas

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24. Wilson’s Warbler

Wilson’s warbler is a small, brightly colored bird found across North America. It has greenish upperparts and yellow underparts, with rounded wings and a long tail.

The male has an easily identifiable black crown patch which may or may not be present in the female depending on the subspecies.

They breed from Canada down to central parts of Mexico and then winter south through much of Central America.

These birds are usually seen flitting around low vegetation as they search for insects to eat – their main food source.

Their cheerful song can often be heard during spring migration when they travel back up north to breed again after spending winter further south.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Cardellina
Species	C. pusilla

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25. Yellow-Throated Vireo

The Yellow-throated Vireo is a small songbird found in North America. It has an olive head and upperparts with a yellow throat and white belly, along with dark wings and tail feathers.

The vireo’s scientific name comes from the Latin words “flavus” meaning yellow, and “frons” meaning forehead – alluding to its distinctive coloring.

These birds feed mainly on insects which they catch by hovering over vegetation or flying out to seize them midair.

During breeding season males are known for their loud singing as they defend their territories against rival suitors.

Nonbreeding individuals may congregate in large flocks while migrating southward during autumn months, making quite a spectacle of themselves.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Vireonidae
Genus	Vireo
Species	V. flavifrons

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26. Black-throated Green Warbler

The Black-throated Green Warbler is a beautiful and dainty songbird in the New World warbler family.

It has an olive green crown, yellow face with dark markings, white wing bars, and pale underparts streaked with black on the sides.

Adult males have a striking black throat and upper breast while females show paler coloration on their throats but retain some black patterning across their chest area.

They are quite small birds measuring around 14 cm in length from bill to tail tip which make them easy to miss if they aren’t singing.

Their diet consists mainly of insects which they catch by flitting through trees or shrubs as well as foraging among foliage making this species great help in controlling bug populations.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. virens

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27. Summer Tanager

The Summer Tanager is a stunningly beautiful member of the cardinal family. Native to North and South America, this medium-sized songbird features striking red plumage on its back with yellow underparts.

It has a pointed black bill and long tail feathers that can be seen fluttering through the air when it flies.

The species’ vocalizations are quite similar to those of other members of its genus as well, which often include short whistles and chirps in addition to longer songs made up of various phrases or syllables.

With their vibrant colors and melodic voices, these birds make an eye-catching sight any time they appear.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Piranga
Species	P. rubra

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28. Nashville Warbler

The Nashville Warbler is a small bird found in North and Central America. It has a gray head, green back, and yellowish-white underparts.

During the breeding season it can be seen in parts of the northern and western United States, southern Canada as well and Mexico; while during winter it migrates to places like California, Texas, or further south into Central America.

Its diet consists mainly of insects which they find by foraging on trees or shrubs near open woodlands with dense vegetation.

They are fairly active birds that move around often when searching for food, making them easy to spot if you know where to look.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Leiothlypis
Species	L. ruficapilla

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29. Black-Headed Grosbeak

The Black-headed Grosbeak is a medium-sized bird that belongs to the Cardinalidae family. It has a black head and upperparts, while its underparts are bright yellow.

This striking contrast makes it easy to distinguish from other birds. The grosbeak typically measures 19 cm in length and weighs around 47 grams.

During summer months, they migrate northward up into southwestern British Columbia for nesting grounds where they can find plenty of seeds as food sources.

They also hybridize with Rose-breasted Grosbeaks on the Great Plains in America, creating even more colorful plumage variations amongst these species.

All in all, this beautiful songbird will make an excellent addition to any backyard or garden if you’re lucky enough to spot one.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Cardinalidae
Genus	Pheucticus
Species	P. melanocephalus

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30. Palm Warbler

The palm warbler is a small songbird found in the New World, belonging to the warbler family.

It has two distinct subspecies that differ mainly in their plumage – eastern palm warblers have yellower underparts and bolder rufous streaks on their breast and flanks than western ones.

These birds are light olive above with whitish bellies and yellow throats.

They also have distinctive white-tipped tail feathers which they often flick while foraging or singing during the breeding season, when males establish territories through song duels.

The diet of these birds consists mostly of insects such as beetles, moths, ants, and caterpillars collected from trees or ground vegetation like grasses or sedges.

Palm Warblers migrate long distances between their wintering grounds near Central America to northeastern North American states where they breed each summer before returning south again come fall.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. palmarum

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31. American Redstart

The American Redstart is a beautiful New World Warbler, first documented by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

It has an elegant black and orange plumage that sets it apart from other birds.

The genus name Setophaga comes from the Ancient Greek words ‘sēs’ meaning moth and ‘phagos’, which means eating – referencing its insect-eating habits.

Its song is one of joy, with short repeating phrases making up their melodic tune.

They are mostly found hopping around trees on their long legs during breeding season but migrate to Central America for winter months when food sources become scarce in North America.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. ruticilla

Also Featured In: birds of Vermont, Acadia National Park Birds

32. Mourning Warbler

The Mourning Warbler is a small songbird that belongs to the New World warbler family.

Originating in eastern and central North America, as well as some Central American countries, these birds migrate with the seasons and prefer dense second-growth forests.

They are easily identified by their bright yellow-green plumage which has a distinct black mask extending from its beak down to its neck, giving it an almost melancholic look – hence the name ‘Mourning’ Warbler.

This species of bird loves singing and can often be heard chirping away during mating season or just mid-flight.

With large eyes surrounded by white spectacles, they also have strong legs allowing them to perch on trees for long periods while hunting insects among leaves and branches.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Geothlypis
Species	G. philadelphia

Also Featured In: birds of Michigan, Common Central Park Birds

33. Magnolia Warbler

The Magnolia Warbler is a small and beautiful bird native to North America. It belongs to the wood warbler family of Parulidae and its name derives from the type locality Fort Adams, Mississippi where it was first discovered by Alexander Wilson.

This species has an overall length ranging between 4 – 5 inches with a wingspan measuring up to 6-7 inches long.

Its plumage consists of a yellow chest which turns into olive green on top while its underside takes a white hue and throat remains black in coloration along with two white wing bars present on either side.

In terms of diet, they feed mainly on insects like caterpillars, moths, etc., but also feed upon fruits or seeds occasionally during the winter season as well as the migratory period.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Passeriformes
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Setophaga
Species	S. magnolia

Also Featured In: birds of yellow birds, Yellow Georgia Birds

34. Northern Flicker

The Northern flicker is a woodpecker species found in North America, Central America, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. This medium-sized bird is known for its unique migration behavior.

Over 100 common names are used to refer to the Northern Flicker, one of them being “yellowhammer”. It is a beautiful bird with distinctive markings and colorful plumage.

The Northern flicker is an important species in its ecosystem and plays a key role in maintaining a healthy balance in the environment.

Despite being a woodpecker, the Northern Flicker has a diverse diet that includes insects, fruits, and seeds.

It is fascinating to observe this bird as it pecks at trees in search of food, communicates with its unique vocalizations, and performs its incredible aerial displays.

The Northern flicker is truly a remarkable bird species that is worthy of our admiration and protection.

Scientific classification:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Piciformes
Family	Picidae
Genus	Colaptes
Species	C. auratus

Also Featured In: Birds That Live in Colorado, Common Birds in the Cities

To Recap

South Dakota is home to a diverse range of bird species, including 34 yellow birds that add vibrancy to its avian population.

These yellow birds, such as the American Goldfinch, Yellow Warbler, and Yellow-headed Blackbird, contribute to the state’s rich biodiversity.

They not only enhance the visual beauty of South Dakota’s landscapes but also play vital roles in the ecosystem, from pollinating plants to controlling insect populations.

As stewards of the environment, residents and visitors alike must appreciate and protect these yellow birds and their habitats to ensure their continued presence in the state’s natural heritage.