Common in marshes across North America. Male is distinctive, with bright lemon yellow underparts, plain olive-green upperparts, yellow throat, green crown, and a wide black mask across the face, bordered above by a thin strip of white. Female is much duller, lacking black on face, underparts are dull, with brighter yellow on the undertail coverts and throat. Upperparts olive-green, has a thick black bill. Immatures generally look like washed-out females, with some showing more tan and buffy tones below. Young males resemble females, but have patchy black face.

Length: 13 (cm) Wingspan: 17 (cm)

Voice:

Classic song a clear, sweet wichity-wichity-wichity; repeated and varied. Call note a husky, hard chunk; also quick scolding series.

Habitat:

Marshes, wetlands, cattail swamps, wet fields with dense vegetation.

Behavior:

Abundant where habitat allows, but heard more often than seen. Typically skulks low in dense reeds or foliage. Male sings from exposed perch. Nest is a bulky, loose cup, lined with fine grasses.

Feeding:

Forages among dense vegetation and on ground, gleaning foliage for insects and occasional seeds.