Sounds of the Common Yellowthroat

Geothlypis trichas

Shortcut: witchety-witchety-witchety-witch

Song: The male's distinctive, high-pitched song is a series of repeated phrases: witchety-witchety-witchety-witch. The song is loud for such a small bird, and the singer rarely stays put, hopping or flying from perch to perch between songs. The male also performs a special "flight song," given as he rises high into the air on fluttering wings. It begins with high tink notes followed by two loud chips, then several typical song phrases, and finally a complex jumble of notes as the bird descends.

Call: The distinctive alarm call is a rattling tschat or sharp steek. During aggressive social encounters, yellowthroats often make a chattering rattle.