Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) / Keith Dennis Brewer / July 4th 2025





These photographs, taken by Keith Dennis Brewer on July 4th, 2025, in the dense backwoods of Zealand, New Brunswick, capture a shy and elusive bird known as the Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), likely a female or juvenile based on its subtle plumage.

Unlike the striking black-masked males, females and juveniles are more subdued in appearance, blending in with the thickets and undergrowth where they live. They have a soft olive-brown upper body, a yellow throat and breast, and a pale belly. These birds are often seen flitting low through dense vegetation, making them a challenge to spot—let alone photograph. Keith’s ability to document this moment speaks to his patience and deep connection with nature.

The Common Yellowthroat is a type of warbler found widely across North America, especially in marshes, wet meadows, and brushy areas near water. In summer, they breed in much of Canada, including New Brunswick. Their song—a distinctive “wichity-wichity-wichity”—is often heard long before the bird is seen.

These photographs do more than showcase a bird; they serve as a reminder of the quiet life that thrives just beyond the beaten path. Keith’s work continues to document and preserve the beauty of New Brunswick’s wilderness, one moment at a time. As habitats are increasingly at risk, images like these become more than art—they become records of what we stand to lose.


 

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