Masked yellowthroat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Masked yellowthroat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Geothlypis
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| Species: |
aequinoctialis
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The masked yellowthroat (Geothlypis aequinoctialis) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to a group of birds called New World warblers. These birds live in different parts of South America. Some birds, like the black-lored yellowthroat and southern yellowthroat, used to be considered types of masked yellowthroats.
Contents
About the Masked Yellowthroat
Where Masked Yellowthroats Live
Masked yellowthroats like to live in marshes and other wet places. They prefer areas with lots of thick, low plants. You might also find them in places with dense bushes. They are not as common in drier areas.
What Masked Yellowthroats Look Like
This bird is about 13.2 cm long, which is a little over 5 inches. It weighs about 13 g. Its upper body is yellow-green, and its belly is bright yellow. It has a mostly black beak.
The adult male masked yellowthroat has a black mask on its face. This mask has a gray band above it. The female looks similar, but she does not have the black mask. She is a bit duller in color. She might have some gray on her head, a yellowish ring around her eye, and a yellowish stripe from her beak to her eye. Male birds can look different depending on where they live.
It is easy to tell this bird apart from the common yellowthroat that visits in winter. The masked yellowthroat has a completely yellow belly. The common yellowthroat, which comes from North America, has a white belly.
How Masked Yellowthroats Behave
Masked yellowthroats are usually seen in pairs. They do not often hang out with other types of birds. They often hide in the plants, but they might pop up sometimes, especially when they sing.
What Masked Yellowthroats Eat
These birds mostly eat insects and spiders. Their diet includes caterpillars, dragonflies, damselflies, grasshoppers, and beetles. They usually catch their food in thick plants.
Sounds of the Masked Yellowthroat
The masked yellowthroat makes a fast, chattering call. This sound is quite different from other yellowthroat species. They also make a sharp chip sound.
