The Chat

The Chat, MWBA’s official newsletter, is published monthly from September through May, with a summer edition in July/August. Each issue contains information about the monthly speaker and their presentation and the latest news about education, conservation, special events, Hesthavn Nature Center, field trips, bird sightings, board meetings, calendar items, and more. Archived Chats are available in PDF format from April 2003 – see below.

Editor Jada Krening welcomes articles from all members of the Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance. Please submit them to Jada by the fourth Thursday of the month. Submit text created in Microsoft Word and any links, photos, photo credits, and captions to: chateditors@gmail.com.

Our Namesake

Though widespread throughout the U.S., Yellow-breasted Chats can be elusive because they often inhabit thick brush found in riparian zones, forest edges, and wetlands. The easiest time to see them is in spring when males are singing atop an exposed  branch. Yellow-breasted Chats have an extensive repertoire of vocalizations, including whistles, rattles, and grunts. They eat berries and insects and migrate as far as Central America in winter.

Eastern populations expanded until the mid-20th century possibly due to habitat created by logging. But as forests regenerated, the population decreased as shrubby habitat declined. Western populations have increased, and the species is currently considered to be of low conservation concern

Yellow-breasted Chart

Current Issue – January 2026

January 2026 thumbnail

Archived Issues

January 2026