May 23, 2025: The male Common Yellowthroat on Cape Cod in May is a small warbler with a bright yellow throat, black mask, and buzzy “witchety-witchety” song, often heard in marshes and shrubby, low vegetation.

In May in Falmouth, the male Common Yellowthroat is a familiar sight and sound in marshes, shrubby thickets, and other dense, low vegetation. This small, chunky warbler is easy to recognize thanks to its vivid field marks and distinctive voice. The male sports a bright yellow throat and upper chest, contrasting sharply with an unmistakable black facial mask that stretches across the eyes and forehead like a tiny Zorro. This mask is bordered above by a clean white or pale gray line, enhancing its bold appearance. His back, wings, and tail are olive-green, and the yellow underparts gradually fade to a paler, whitish or buffy belly and undertail. Though energetic, he often stays hidden in the underbrush, flicking his tail and darting through thick cover.

What often gives him away is his persistent, ringing song: a loud, buzzy, and emphatic “witchety-witchety-witchety,” typically delivered in three to five phrases. The tone is sharp and rhythmic, each syllable crisply articulated. This song is a hallmark of spring on the Cape and serves to declare territory and attract a mate. Though the Common Yellowthroat may be visually elusive, its cheerful and unmistakable song often leads birders right to its location.