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To the Beauty of Birds

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.

The breeding habitat is marshes and other wet areas with dense low vegetation. The Masked Yellowthroat may also be found in other areas with dense shrub, but is less common in drier habitats. Two white eggs with reddish-brown markings are laid in a lined cup nest low in grass or rank vegetation.

The Masked Yellowthroat has yellow-green upperparts, bright yellow underparts, and a mainly black bill. The adult male has a black facemask, bordered above with a grey band. The female is similar, but lacks the black mask.

This species is easily distinguished from wintering Common Yellowthroat by its uniform yellow underparts, whereas the North American bird has a white belly.

The Masked Yellowthroat is usually seen in pairs, and does not associate with other species. It is often skulking, but may pop up occasionally, especially to sing. It feeds on insects, including caterpillars, which are usually captured in dense vegetation. The call is a fast chattering, quite unlike that of other yellowthroat species, and a more typical sharp chip.

These photos were taken at Reserva Natural Otamondi, Argentina

Masked Yellowthroat

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