Common Yellowthroat

Description

Common yellowthroats are small songbirds that have olive backs, wings and tails, yellow throats and chests, and white bellies. Adult males have black face masks which stretch from the sides of the neck across the eyes and forehead, which are bordered above with white or gray. Females are similar in appearance, but have paler underparts and lack the black mask. Immature birds are similar in appearance to the adult female. First-year males have a faint black mask which darkens completely by spring. The subspecies mainly differ in the males' facial patterns and the brightness of the yellow underparts. The southwestern subspecies of this bird are the brightest and the yellowest below. The song is a loud twichety twichety twichety twich. Its call is a soft jip. Measurements: Length: 11–13 cm (4.3–5.1 in) Wingspan: 15–19 cm (5.9–7.5 in) Weight: 7.6–15.5 g (0.27–0.55 oz)

Range & habitat

Common yellowthroats breed in marshes and other wet areas with low, dense vegetation. They may also be found in other areas with dense shrubs, and are less commonly found in dry areas. Females appear to prefer males with larger masks. Common yellowthroats nest in low vegetation, laying 3–5 eggs in a cup-shaped nest. Both parents feed the young.

Behaviour

These birds feed on insects, which are usually captured in dense vegetation, but sometimes caught in midair. Common yellowthroat nests are commonly subject to brood parasitism by the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater).

Adapted from Common yellowthroat on Wikipedia, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.