Common Yellowthroat

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Common Yellowthroat

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Parulidae
Genus: Geothlypis
Species: G. trichas
Binomial name
Geothlypis trichas
(Linnaeus, 1766)

The Common Yellowthroat, (Geothlypis trichas), is a New World warbler. They are abundant breeders in North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico.

Northern races are migratory, wintering in the southern parts of the breeding range, Central America and the West Indies. Southern forms are largely resident. This species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.

Common Yellowthroats have brown backs, yellow throats, and white bellies. Adult males have black face masks, which are bordered above with gray. Females are similar in appearance, but do not have the black mask.

There are 13 races of this bird. These races differ mainly in the males' facial patterns and the brightness of the yellow underparts. The southwestern forms of this bird are the brightest and the yellowest below.[2]

The breeding habitats of these birds are marshes and other wet areas with dense low vegetation, and may also be found in other areas with dense shrub. However, these birds are less common in dry areas. Females appear to prefer males with larger masks. Common Yellowthroats nest in low areas of the vegetation, laying 3-5 eggs in a cup-shaped nest. Both parents feed the young.

These birds feed on insects, which are usually captured in dense vegetation, but sometimes caught in midair.

The Common Yellowthroat's song is a loud wichety wichety wichety wich. Its call is a soft jip.

Despite a decline in numbers in some areas, which is due to loss of favoured habitat, this species is still very common.


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[edit] References

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2004). Geothlypis trichas. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 9 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  2. ^ Curson, Quinn and Beadle New World Warblers ISBN 0-7136-3932-6

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