Learn the song and call of the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). 

This big witchity-witchety song, often heard in tallgrass prairies and open marshes, comes from a little chunky warbler with a yellow throat and black mask. Males call out all summer long, sometimes popping out of the low reeds and grasses to do so. Listen out for their scolding rattle call anywhere there’s tall grass with a little water nearby. While Females lack the male’s distinctive black mask, they keep the yellow throat as well as the bird’s distinctive crisp chip. 

Do you want to learn more bird songs, frog calls, and insect noises? Join Voice of the Wild every Friday to explore a new wild voice. From time to time, we’ll also do a deep dive into wildlife science, news, and natural history. Voice of the Wild is brought to you by the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy program. 

Available on most podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. 

Subscription links Here 

Subscribe to the Newsletter 

Listen online on our Homepage 

Common yellowthroat rattle call (XC468422) by Doug Raybuck (from www.xeno-canto.org) 

The following Cornell Lab | Macaulay Library recordings were used in this episode: 

Common yellowthroat song (ML509109) by Geoffrey A. Keller 
Common yellowthroat call (ML509117) by Peter Paul Kellogg and Brina Kessel