Hobbies And Interests
Woodpeckers
There are two species of woodpecker native to La Porte containing yellow feathers. The first is a subspecies of Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) known as the yellow shafted subspecies. It consists of blue crown and yellow coloration under its wings. It can be found in La Porte during all seasons and is identifiable by the red on the back of its neck.
The Yellow bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) can be found in La Porte during winter. Males of this species are identified by their red crown and throat and yellow underbelly.
Kingbirds, Flycatchers and Gnatcatchers
Kingbirds and flycatchers are aggressive fly-eating birds. The western kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) migrates through La Porte from western states to breeding sites in southern Florida. This species has a gray back and wings with a yellow belly and white throat.
The great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) has a long rusty-colored tail and gray back head and wings. Its belly is also yellow but is clearly identified by the large crest on top of its head. It can be seen around La Porte most of the year.
The yellow-bellied flycatcher (Empidonax flaviveniris) migrates through from Canada to east central Mexican breeding grounds in the late spring and early fall. It has a yellow belly, gray head and black wings with two white stripes.
Golden-crowned kinglets prefer conifers. These gnatcatchers have yellow heads. Males have a red stripe through the top of their yellow crown, which the females lack. These birds make descending chickadee-like songs.
Waxwings
Cedar waxwing (Bombcilla cedrorum) is irregular in its wanderings, but sometimes locally abundant around La Porte in compact flocks around berry-bearing trees and shrubs. It is about the size of a blue jay with a black mask, high-crested heads and yellow bellies. It is an omnivorous bird feeding on both berries and insects.
Vireos
The blue-headed vireo (Vireo solitaries) sports yellow flanks with blue-gray wings, back, neck and tail, and a white belly. This bird is rather sluggish and tame. White-eyed vireos (Vireo griseus) are common year-round in thickets. Appearance is similar to the blue-headed, with a paler gray head and a distinctly gray iris. Feathers around the eye are also yellow, and the yellow sides cover more of the bird. Yellow-throated vireos (Vireo flavifrons) are a summertime resident until it migrates to east coast of Mexico in winter. It is fairly common and similar in color to white-eyed vireo, but with a brown iris and bright yellow throat and upper breast.
Warblers
Without a doubt, yellow permeates the warblers more than any other family of birds. They consist of many different migrating species, many of which travel through La Porte or make La Porte a seasonal destination. Warblers are small, active, brightly colored songsters. They often migrate in mixed flocks containing several different species.
The Prothonotary warbler (Protonataria citrea) is common. It has a golden head, yellow body, with blue-gray wings. It has a long, dark bill, and white in and under the tail. This bird is rarely seen far from water, and nests in low tree cavities over water. It moves to South America during winter.
The golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is uncommon, but found mostly in abandoned pastures while migrating from South America to the northern states in spring and on its way back in the fall. It looks like a chickadee with a yellow cap and shoulders.
The blue-winged warbler (Vermivora pinus) is more common, but still only seen in its migration route to the northern states. It can be found resting in overgrown pastures with scattered saplings. Its coloration is much like the prothonotary warbler, but the head is more of a pale yellow.
The Tennessee warbler (Vermivora peregrine) is found in spring and fall during its migration between South America and Canada. It's the only warbler with completely white under parts. It has a blue-gray head with a greenish-yellow back and wings. Its wing tips and tail are dark gray.
The orange-crowned warbler (Vermivora celata). Migrates to the Gulf coast from the western states, west Canada and Alaska. Several subspecies vary from greenish-yellow to gray, with an orange crown on top of the head. It has faint streaking on the sides of the breast.
The yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia) is found in suburban shrubbery in spring and fall. It has a bright yellow belly and a greenish-yellow back and head. It also has rust-colored streaks on the breast.
The yellow-rumped warbler (Dendroica coronata) nests in coastal thickets over winter. A dark-colored bird, it has a white belly and bright yellow patches on the rump, shoulders and top of the head. A less-common western subspecies also has yellow on the throat. La Porte, Texas, is the eastern-most location where this subspecies has been identified.
The yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica) is uncommon and rarely seen, as it forages high in treetops. It is a dark-colored warbler with a white belly and bright yellow throat. It is found around La Porte from early spring to late fall.
The pine warbler (Dendroica pinus) is common in mature pines in the winter. It is dark and drab in color, with bellies that yellow as the bird matures.
The prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor) is commonly found amongst saplings and young pines. It has an olive back and bright yellow belly with chestnut-colored streaks.
The common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) is abundant in moist, grassy areas and thickets. It has a bright yellow belly, throat and tail. The males of this species have a black mask. It is an occasional visitor year round.
The yellow-breasted chat (Icteria vivrens) is fairly common in deciduous thickets, but very shy. It has a large, heavy build with a bright yellow throat and upper breast. This warbler makes calls at night, which is rare within this family.
The Kentucky warbler (Oporornis formosus) is a common warbler that nests on the ground around vegetation. It has a greenish-yellow back, wings and tail with yellow underparts. Its head and cheeks are black.
The hooded warbler (Wilsonia cittrina) may be found around La Porte from early spring to late fall, nesting low to the ground in deciduous thickets. It has a yellow body and a black head and throat with a yellow face mask.
Wilson's warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) is found fall to spring near the Gulf coast. This warbler is mostly yellow with a black crown.
Meadowlarks
The eastern and western meadowlark have overlapping territories in La Porte, Texas. Both have yellow bellies and throats with black in a bib-like patch on the upper breast. A yellow spot is also found just in front of the eye. The only difference is the western meadowlark's yellow throat marking extends further up onto the cheek. They alternatively flap and sail while in flight. These birds do not migrate.
Orioles
The orchard oriole (Icterus spurious) is commonly found in unsprayed orchards. The female of this species is the only oriole with a yellow-green breast, throat and tail. These birds assemble into loose bands of five to 10 individuals.
Tanagers
Summer tanager (Piranga rubra) females and young males have yellow bellies and a greenish-yellow head and back with dark wings and tail. It is common where oaks and pines mix.
Finches
The American goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) commonly flocks in weedy fields, bushes and roadsides. It's the only bright-yellow bird with a black cap extending from the beak to the eye, and is very common. It has black wings and a black tail.