Flame-throated warbler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flame-throated warbler |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Oreothlypis
|
| Species: |
gutturalis
|
 |
|
| Range of O. gutturalis | |
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The flame-throated warbler (scientific name: Oreothlypis gutturalis) is a tiny and colorful New World warbler. These birds are sometimes known by other scientific names like Vermivora or Parula.
Contents
Meet the Flame-Throated Warbler
What Does This Warbler Look Like?
Adult flame-throated warblers are about 12 cm (4.7 in) long. That's about the length of a pen! They are also very light, weighing only about 10 g (0.35 oz).
These birds have slate grey feathers on their upper bodies. Their backs, faces, and areas around their eyes are black. The most striking part is their bright red throat and chest. This fiery color stands out against their whitish belly.
Male and female warblers look very similar. However, the black mask around the male's eyes is a bit bigger. Young birds are usually browner and duller. They might have a faint buff stripe above their eye and light bars on their wings.
What Sounds Do They Make?
The flame-throated warbler has a sharp call that sounds like chit. When they sing, it's a buzzing sound. You might hear it as pi pipipipi shwaaaa.
Where Do Flame-Throated Warblers Live?
Their Mountain Home
These warblers live all year round in the Talamancan montane forests. These forests are found in Costa Rica and western Panama.
They prefer to live high up in the mountains. You can usually find them in tree canopies or at the edges of woodlands. They also like clearings that have trees.
Altitude and Habitat
They typically live at heights from 2,100 m (6,900 ft) all the way up to the tree line. During the wet season, especially on the Caribbean side, they might fly down to lower areas. Sometimes they can be seen as low as 1,400 m (4,600 ft).
How Do Flame-Throated Warblers Behave?
Building a Nest and Raising Young
Flame-throated warblers build their nests in a deep cup shape. They always hide their nests under epiphytes or mosses. These nests can be in a tree or on a low bank.
Female warblers lay two white eggs. This usually happens between March and May.
What Do They Eat?
These birds are insect eaters! They use their sharp, pointed bills to pick food off leaves. Their diet includes caterpillars, other insects, and spiders.
Social Life
When it's time to breed, flame-throated warblers are very protective of their territory. At other times of the year, they are more social. They will join groups of other insect-eating birds to find food.
