Loss of riparian thickets to urban and agricultural development in southern B.C. has greatly reduced available habitat for this species and is the primary threat to its long-term presence in the province. The yellow-breasted chat is a secretive warbler that is restricted to dense riparian thickets in dry, open habitats.
Dense cover is important for foraging on insects and for nest cover.
3 m. Nests are built in early June and eggs are laid by mid-June. The yellow-breasted chat breeds mainly in the south Okanagan valley and along the Similkameen River. The vast majority of the breeding population occurs south of Penticton. Scattered pairs occur in upland areas above the main river valleys, north through Vernon to Alkali Lake. In recent years, a small breeding population has become established near Mission and Chilliwack, but it is not impacted by forest or range practices.