Yellowthroat
Encyclopedia
The yellowthroats are New World warbler
s in the genus Geothlypis. Most members of the group have localised ranges in Mexico
and Central America
, but the Masked Yellowthroat
has an extensive South America
n distribution, and Common Yellowthroat
, the only migratory
species in the group, breeds over much of North America
.
All the yellowthroats have similar plumage, with yellow-green upperparts, yellow breast, and a mainly black bill. The adult male has a black facemask of variable extent, usually bordered above with a grey band. The female is similar, but lacks the black mask, and may be duller in plumage.
The breeding habitat of these warblers is typically marsh
es and other wet areas with dense low vegetation. The eggs, two in most species, but up to five for Common Yellowthroat, are laid in a lined cup nest low in grass or rank vegetation.
Yellowthroat are usually seen in pairs, and do not associate with other species. They are often skulking, and feed on a range of insect
s.
The taxonomy of these closely related species is complicated, and it is sometimes difficult to define which forms merit species status. For example Common Yellowthroat, Belding's Yellowthroat
, Altamira Yellowthroat
, and Bahama Yellowthroat
are sometimes considered conspecific. Conversely Masked Yellowthroat can be split to three or even four species.
The geographical isolation of the various populations of this mainly sedentary group has led to its genetic divergence and speciation. This process can be seen in action in the case of Masked Yellowthroat, where the subspecies are separated by rainforest or the Andes
, leading to the development of distinctive forms, such as the Central American race Geothlypis aequinoctialis chiriquensis. This form is found in the highlands of Costa Rica
and western Panama
, and is separated by 1000 km from its South American cousins, from which it differs in size, appearance and vocalisations.
New World warbler
The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are not related to the Old World warblers or the Australian warblers....
s in the genus Geothlypis. Most members of the group have localised ranges in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, but the Masked Yellowthroat
Masked Yellowthroat
The Masked Yellowthroat, Geothlypis aequinoctialis, is a New World warbler. It has a number of separate resident breeding populations in Central and South America, some of which may be considered to form separate species....
has an extensive South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
n distribution, and Common Yellowthroat
Common Yellowthroat
The Common Yellowthroat is a New World warbler. They are abundant breeders in North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico....
, the only migratory
Bird migration
Bird migration is the regular seasonal journey undertaken by many species of birds. Bird movements include those made in response to changes in food availability, habitat or weather. Sometimes, journeys are not termed "true migration" because they are irregular or in only one direction...
species in the group, breeds over much of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
All the yellowthroats have similar plumage, with yellow-green upperparts, yellow breast, and a mainly black bill. The adult male has a black facemask of variable extent, usually bordered above with a grey band. The female is similar, but lacks the black mask, and may be duller in plumage.
The breeding habitat of these warblers is typically marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es and other wet areas with dense low vegetation. The eggs, two in most species, but up to five for Common Yellowthroat, are laid in a lined cup nest low in grass or rank vegetation.
Yellowthroat are usually seen in pairs, and do not associate with other species. They are often skulking, and feed on a range of insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s.
The taxonomy of these closely related species is complicated, and it is sometimes difficult to define which forms merit species status. For example Common Yellowthroat, Belding's Yellowthroat
Belding's Yellowthroat
The Belding's Yellowthroat, Geothlypis beldingi, is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeder endemic to southern Baja California, Mexico....
, Altamira Yellowthroat
Altamira Yellowthroat
The Altamira Yellowthroat, Geothlypis flavovelata, is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeding bird endemic to the Gulf slope of northeastern Mexico....
, and Bahama Yellowthroat
Bahama Yellowthroat
The Bahama Yellowthroat, Geothlypis rostrata, is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeder endemic to the Bahamas.It is closely related to Common Yellowthroat, Altamira Yellowthroat and Belding's Yellowthroat, with which it forms a superspecies, and was formerly considered conspecific.The...
are sometimes considered conspecific. Conversely Masked Yellowthroat can be split to three or even four species.
The geographical isolation of the various populations of this mainly sedentary group has led to its genetic divergence and speciation. This process can be seen in action in the case of Masked Yellowthroat, where the subspecies are separated by rainforest or the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
, leading to the development of distinctive forms, such as the Central American race Geothlypis aequinoctialis chiriquensis. This form is found in the highlands of Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and western Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
, and is separated by 1000 km from its South American cousins, from which it differs in size, appearance and vocalisations.
Species
- Common YellowthroatCommon YellowthroatThe Common Yellowthroat is a New World warbler. They are abundant breeders in North America, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico....
, Geothlypis trichas - Belding's YellowthroatBelding's YellowthroatThe Belding's Yellowthroat, Geothlypis beldingi, is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeder endemic to southern Baja California, Mexico....
, Geothlypis beldingi - Altamira YellowthroatAltamira YellowthroatThe Altamira Yellowthroat, Geothlypis flavovelata, is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeding bird endemic to the Gulf slope of northeastern Mexico....
, Geothlypis flavovelata - Bahama YellowthroatBahama YellowthroatThe Bahama Yellowthroat, Geothlypis rostrata, is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeder endemic to the Bahamas.It is closely related to Common Yellowthroat, Altamira Yellowthroat and Belding's Yellowthroat, with which it forms a superspecies, and was formerly considered conspecific.The...
, Geothlypis rostrata- New Providence Yellowthroat, Geothlypis rostrata rostrata (extinct: 1990s?)
- Olive-crowned YellowthroatOlive-crowned YellowthroatThe Olive-crowned Yellowthroat is a species of bird in the Parulidae family.It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Panama....
, Geothlypis semiflava - Black-polled YellowthroatBlack-polled YellowthroatThe Black-polled Yellowthroat is a species of bird in the Parulidae family. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitats are freshwater lakes and freshwater marshes.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Geothlypis speciosa - Masked YellowthroatMasked YellowthroatThe Masked Yellowthroat, Geothlypis aequinoctialis, is a New World warbler. It has a number of separate resident breeding populations in Central and South America, some of which may be considered to form separate species....
, Geothlypis aequinoctialis- Southern Yellowthroat, Geothlypis (aequinoctialis) velata
- Black-lored Yellowthroat, Geothlypis (aequinoctialis) auriculata
- Chiriqui Yellowthroat, Geothlypis (aequinoctialis) chiriquensis
- Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis poliocephala
- Hooded YellowthroatHooded YellowthroatThe Hooded Yellowthroat is a species of bird in the Parulidae family.It is endemic to the highlands of Mexico north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.It is resident in dense semiarid to humid montane shrubland or chaparral....
, Geothlypis nelsoni