Common Yellowthroat

Physical: Common yellowthroats are small birds with rounded features, including the head and tail. They are 4-5 inches (11-13 cm) long with a 6-7.5 inch (15-19 cm) wingspan. The common name of this species can be attributed to the yellow throat patch seen on both males and females. Males also have black and white coloration on their face while females have brown coloration on the red of their body.

Habitat: This species inhabits densely vegetated habitats such as forests and wetlands. This level of vegetation is typically found in areas nearby water and is used for both foraging, hiding, and nesting.

Feeding: Common yellowthroats feed predominantly on insects that they find within vegetation and on the ground. They will also eat grains of sand or small pebbles to aid in digestion.

Breeding: Both males and females strongly defend their territory prior to the hatching of their young, preventing both others of the species and nest predators from reaching their clutch of 1-6 eggs. Since their nests are located on the ground, animals such as snakes and small mammals can more easily feed on eggs and hatchlings.