Yellow Breasted Chat, Icteria virens
by Dan Potts, Salt Lake County Fish & Game Association
The logo for the organization that most think was the precursor to the Jordan River Commission, the
Jordan River Natural Areas Forum, was the yellow-breasted chat. This the largest of warblers has a
gorgeous yellow breast with a dark greenish-gray back and wings, grayish-white belly. Although it is
quite widespread here in the west, it is shy and quite rare and along the Jordan. Restoration efforts
along the river have attempted to recreate the dense riverside thickets and brush where this species is
usually found. The most notable characteristics of this unusual bird is that it appears to be wearing
white spectacles, males do a hovering display flight (their legs a dangling), and their amazing variety of
unusual calls, a jumble of clacks, whistles, toots, purring, mews, and squawks, some harsh, hoarse, and
throaty. They are the consummate ventriloquists! Very unusual, indeed, and a great find by any birder!
