The male Yellow Warbler is easily identified by the yellow head, throat, breast, and belly. The breast and belly are streaked with rusty-red.
Wing bars are present.
The female is duller than the male. The back and the top of the head are olive-green. The throat, breast, and belly are yellow, but only a hint of the rusty-red streaking of the male is present. Similar to the breeding male and female. Similar to the fall male and female.