Search Wildlife
≡
Photo by Jim Parrish
Photo Copyright Jim Parrish
Common Yellowthroat
Geothlypis trichas
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G5
State (S-rank): S3S4B
- Reason: This species occurs statewide and is fairly common or common, and about nine breeding occurrences and 59 other occurrences suggestive of breeding are known in the state.
External links
General information
The common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, breeds in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Northern breeding populations migrate south for the winter to Mexico, Central America, northern South America, the West Indies, and the southern United States. Preferred habitats of the common yellowthroat include marshes, riparian areas, brushy pastures, and old fields.
The diet of this bird is composed almost exclusively of insects and spiders. Breeding begins in late spring. The nest is built by the female just above ground in weeds, cattails, or brier bushes. Typically, four eggs are laid and incubated by the female for eleven to thirteen days. Young are tended by both parents and leave the nest at eight to ten days of age. Pairs usually produce two broods in a year, and males will sometimes mate with more than one female. The common yellowthroat is commonly parasitized by brown-headed cowbirds.
Species range
This species occurs in proper habitat throughout Utah (Behle et al. 1985). Walters and Sorensen (1983) had records for all but one of the 23 "latilong" blocks in Utah. It is known to have nested in Weber, Summit, Salt Lake, Utah, Uintah, Juab, Kane, and San Juan counties, and there are records suggestive of breeding in about 18 other counties.
Migration
Winter: withdraws from areas north of the southern U.S. Arrives in Puerto Rico by September-October, departs mostly by the end of April but some remain into June; appears to congregate and pair before migrating north in spring (Raffaele 1983). Migration in Costa Rica extends from mid-October to November and from April to early May (Stiles and Skutch 1989). Present in South America mostly October-April (Ridgely and Tudor 1989).
Habitat
Walters and Sorensen (1983) listed habitats utilized in Utah during both breeding and migration as marshes and wet hummocks, montane riparian woodlands, and desert riparian woodlands. Behle et al. (1985) distinguished two summer habitats of this species in Utah: "One is bulrushes and cattails at marshes and the edges of lakes and reservoirs. The other is riparian vegetation, principally willows, along streams in the lowland valleys."
Food habits
Eats various small invertebrates obtained among low plants.
Ecology
Density was about 1.5-2.5 territories per ha in southeastern Massachusetts (Morimoto and Wasserman 1991).
Reproductive characteristics
Clutch size is 3-6 (usually 4). Usually produces two broods per year. Incubation, by female, lasts 11-13 days. Young are tended by both parents, leave nest at 8-10 days. Polygyny has been observed.
Threats or limiting factors
Although threats to this species in Utah are not known, in this state the its habitats, wetlands and riparian areas, are especially subject to alteration and destruction. Guzy and Ritchison (1999) mentioned death of one individual of this species from pesticide poisoning. They also noted: "Loss of wet areas from draining, flood-control measures, and agricultural and urban development . . . has a negative impact on populations. As Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands (highly erodible or eroding land taken out of production and planted in perennial vegetation) goes back into agricultural production, many areas will likely see deeclines in breeding populations."
References
- Ehrlich, P. R., D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. 1988. The birder's handbook: a field guide to the natural history of North American birds. Simon and Shuster, Inc., New York. xxx + 785 pp.
- Baicich, P. J., and C. J. O. Harrison. 1997. A guide to the nests, eggs, and nestlings of North American Birds, Second Ed. Academic Press, San Diego. 347 pp.
