BREEDING BIRD: COMMON YELLOWTHROAT (Geothlypis trichas)

Description: Adult males have broad black mask bordered above by white and below by a bright yellow throat and breast; undertail coverts are yellow and underparts are dark olive. Female’s crown, back, wings and face are olive colored with a whitish eye ring.

Habitat: Overgrown fields, fresh and salt water marshes.

Diet: Insects and seeds.

Displays: Male follows female while swooping from perch to perch, performing calls and a garbled song.

Nest: Made of loosely-woven weeds, grass, bark and ferns. Lined with finer materials.

Eggs: White to creamy, marked with brown and black.

Song and Call: A loud wichity wichity wich. Call is a raspy chuck sound.

Breeding bird atlas: To report bird breeding activity in your neighborhood, or to get information on the breeding bird atlas, call Sea and Sage Audubon Society members Sylvia Gallagher, (714) 962-8990, or Nancy Kenyon, (714) 786-3160.

Note: Map is divided into 5-kilometer squares so that Audubon Society volunteers can more easily survey areas on a regular basis.

Fireside Books (1988); “Field Guide to the Birds of North America,” National Geographic Society (1987); “Birds of Southern California: Status and Distribution,” Garrett and Dunn, Los Angeles Audubon Society (1981).

Indicates 5-kilometer-square areas where breeding activity has been confirmed.

Note: Map is divided into 5-kilometer squares so the Audubon Society volunteers can more easily survey areas on a regular basis.

Sources: Sea amd Sage Audubon Society; “The Birder’s Handbook,” Ehrlich, Dobkin & Wheye, Fireside Books (1988); “Field Guide to the Birds of North America,” National Geographic Society (1987); “Birds of Southern California: Status and Distribution,” Garrett & Dunn, Los Angeles Audubon Society (1981).