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Geothlypis trichas

(Linnaeus, 1766)

Common Yellowthroat

G5Secure Found in 202 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). © Ryan Sanderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Ryan Sanderson; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). © Gavin Aquila; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Gavin Aquila; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). © Matt Hoberg; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Matt Hoberg; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). © mark daly; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© mark daly; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). © Doug Hommert; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Doug Hommert; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas). © Kyle Tansley; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library.
© Kyle Tansley; Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.101873
Element CodeABPBX12010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParulidae
GenusGeothlypis
Other Common Names
common yellowthroat (EN) Mascarita Común (ES) Paruline masquée (FR)
Concept Reference
American Ornithologists' Union (AOU). 1998. Check-list of North American birds. Seventh edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. [as modified by subsequent supplements and corrections published in The Auk]. Also available online: http://www.aou.org/.
Taxonomic Comments
Exhibits relatively deep mtDNA separations between populations in Washington and those in the central and eastern states (Ball and Avise 1992). Populations around Lake Chapala, Jalisco, regarded as a distinct group, Chapalensis (AOU 1998). Sometimes regarded as conspecific with G. rostrata, G. flavovelata, and G. beldingi (AOU 1983). Further study required of species relationships with Geothlypis (AOU 1998).
Conservation Status
Rank MethodExpertise without calculation
Review Date2016-04-07
Change Date1996-12-03
Range Extent Comments
BREEDS: southeastern Alaska to central Saskatchewan and Newfoundland, south to northern Baja California, southern Mexico, southern Texas, Gulf Coast, and southern Florida. WINTERS: northern California, southwestern U.S., southern Texas, Gulf states and South Carolina south through Mexico and the West Indies (fairly common in Puerto Rico, rare in Virgin Islands, Raffaele 1983), to Panama and rarely into Colombia, Venezuela, Netherlands Antilles.
Ecology & Habitat

Description

Upperparts olive-brown; throat and breast yellow; sides tan; belly whitish; adult male has a broad black mask, bordered above by white; immature male has a pale eye ring and an indistinct mask; 11-14 cm long (NGS 1983).

Diagnostic Characteristics

Differs from the Kentucky warbler by lacking a yellow line over the eye. Differs from the yellow-breasted chat in smaller size (chat 18 cm long) and lack of a white line extending from the top of the eye to the bill.

Habitat

Marshes (especially cattail), thickets near water, bogs, brushy pastures, old fields, and, locally, undergrowth of humid forest. In migration and winter also in brushy and shrubby areas in both moist and arid regions (AOU 1983).

Nests just above ground or over water, in weeds, reeds, cattails, tules, grass tussocks, brier bushes, and similar situations; often at base of shrub or sapling, sometimes higher in weeds or shrubs up to about 1 m.

Ecology

Density was about 1.5-2.5 territories per ha in southeastern Massachusetts (Morimoto and Wasserman 1991).

Reproduction

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.
Terrestrial Habitats
Shrubland/chaparralOld field
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDSCRUB-SHRUB WETLANDFORESTED WETLANDBog/fenRiparian
Other Nations (2)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
ArkansasS3N,S4BYes
IowaS5B,S5NYes
New MexicoS4B,S4NYes
KansasS5BYes
WisconsinS4BYes
OklahomaSNRBYes
WashingtonS5BYes
New YorkS5BYes
North DakotaSNRBYes
GeorgiaS5Yes
Rhode IslandS5BYes
PennsylvaniaS4BYes
MichiganS5Yes
Navajo NationS2BYes
IdahoS5BYes
FloridaS4Yes
North CarolinaS5B,S4NYes
TennesseeS5Yes
OregonS5BYes
New JerseyS4B,S4NYes
WyomingS5B,S5NYes
MissouriSNRBYes
District of ColumbiaS3B,S4NYes
New HampshireS5BYes
South CarolinaS4Yes
UtahS3BYes
AlaskaS4BYes
LouisianaS3N,S5BYes
MinnesotaSNRBYes
NebraskaS5Yes
VirginiaS5Yes
MassachusettsS5BYes
West VirginiaS2N,S5BYes
VermontS5BYes
KentuckyS5BYes
ArizonaS4Yes
MaineS4BYes
ConnecticutS5BYes
DelawareS5BYes
ColoradoS4BYes
TexasS5BYes
MontanaS5BYes
AlabamaS5Yes
NevadaS3BYes
MarylandS5BYes
South DakotaS5BYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
MississippiS5BYes
OhioS5Yes
IndianaS4BYes
IllinoisS5Yes
CanadaN5B,N3N
ProvinceRankNative
New BrunswickS5BYes
Nova ScotiaS5BYes
OntarioS5B,S3NYes
NunavutSUBYes
ManitobaS5BYes
LabradorS3B,SUMYes
AlbertaS5BYes
SaskatchewanS5BYes
Yukon TerritoryS5BYes
Northwest TerritoriesS5Yes
QuebecS5BYes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS5BYes
Prince Edward IslandS5BYes
Roadless Areas (202)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Oakey MountainTalladega National Forest6,129
Alaska (2)
AreaForestAcres
HyderTongass National Forest121,723
North RevillaTongass National Forest215,430
Arizona (6)
AreaForestAcres
Arnold MesaPrescott National Forest12,286
Campbell BlueApache-Sitgreaves National Forests7,003
CenterfireApache-Sitgreaves National Forests13,130
GoldfieldTonto National Forest15,257
Lower San FranciscoApache-Sitgreaves National Forests59,310
TumacacoriCoronado National Forest44,594
California (94)
AreaForestAcres
AntimonyLos Padres National Forest40,911
Arroyo SecoAngeles National Forest4,703
Barker ValleyCleveland National Forest11,940
Bear MountainLos Padres National Forest913
Big RocksLos Padres National Forest11,866
Black ButteLos Padres National Forest5,116
Black MountainLos Padres National Forest16,818
Black Mtn.Sequoia National Forest15,102
Cahuilla MountainSan Bernardino National Forest6,952
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
CajonSan Bernardino National Forest7,548
CalienteCleveland National Forest5,953
CamuesaLos Padres National Forest8,209
Chalk PeakLos Padres National Forest7,472
ChannellSequoia National Forest45,429
ChicoSequoia National Forest39,836
Circle MountainSan Bernardino National Forest6,375
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
City CreekSan Bernardino National Forest9,997
ColdwaterCleveland National Forest8,402
Crystal CreekSan Bernardino National Forest6,783
Cucamonga AAngeles National Forest1,249
Cucamonga BSan Bernardino National Forest11,933
Cucamonga CSan Bernardino National Forest4,106
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest14,530
Cutca ValleyCleveland National Forest14,530
CuyamaLos Padres National Forest19,631
De La GuerraLos Padres National Forest5,418
Deep CreekSan Bernardino National Forest23,869
Dennison PeakSequoia National Forest6,293
Devil GulchSierra National Forest30,490
Dry LakesLos Padres National Forest17,043
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Fish CanyonAngeles National Forest29,886
Fox MountainLos Padres National Forest52,072
Garcia MountainLos Padres National Forest7,850
Glass MountainInyo National Forest52,867
Granite PeakSan Bernardino National Forest450
Greenhorn CreekSequoia National Forest28,226
Hixon FlatSan Bernardino National Forest8,095
Horse Creek RidgeSan Bernardino National Forest8,969
Horseshoe SpringsLos Padres National Forest14,089
JuncalLos Padres National Forest12,289
Kings RiverSierra National Forest52,999
La BreaLos Padres National Forest14,031
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
LaddCleveland National Forest5,300
Lpoor CanyonLos Padres National Forest13,762
Machesna MountainLos Padres National Forest12,271
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Magic MountainAngeles National Forest15,542
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
Malduce BuckhornLos Padres National Forest14,177
ManzanaLos Padres National Forest2,101
MatilijaLos Padres National Forest5,218
Mill CreekSequoia National Forest27,643
Mirada PimeLos Padres National Forest13,302
MonoLos Padres National Forest28,141
MosesSequoia National Forest22,077
No NameCleveland National Forest4,897
NordhoffLos Padres National Forest12,031
Pine CreekCleveland National Forest503
Pleasant ViewAngeles National Forest26,395
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
Raywood Flat BSan Bernardino National Forest11,373
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
Red MountainAngeles National Forest8,034
Rouse HillSan Bernardino National Forest13,745
Salt CreekAngeles National Forest11,022
San DimasAngeles National Forest7,160
San Gabriel AddAngeles National Forest2,527
San Mateo CanyonCleveland National Forest65
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
San SevaineSan Bernardino National Forest6,866
Santa CruzLos Padres National Forest21,182
Sawmill - BadlandsLos Padres National Forest51,362
Sespe - FrazierAngeles National Forest4,254
Sheep MountainAngeles National Forest21,098
Sill HillCleveland National Forest5,294
Soldier CanyonInyo National Forest40,589
Stanley MountainLos Padres National Forest14,674
Stanley MountainLos Padres National Forest14,674
Strawberry PeakAngeles National Forest7,245
Tepusquet PeakLos Padres National Forest5,821
TequepisLos Padres National Forest9,080
TrabucoCleveland National Forest23,341
TuleAngeles National Forest9,861
West ForkAngeles National Forest1,169
WestforkAngeles National Forest4,407
White LedgeLos Padres National Forest18,632
WildhorseCleveland National Forest1,483
Wonoga Pk.Inyo National Forest11,272
WoolstaffSequoia National Forest41,445
Colorado (1)
AreaForestAcres
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Florida (2)
AreaForestAcres
Alexander Springs CreekOcala National Forest2,954
Clear LakeApalachicola National Forest5,592
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Michigan (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear SwampHuron-Manistee National Forest3,915
Montana (12)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest88,003
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest50,326
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest97,305
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest9,098
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
North AbsarokaGallatin National Forest159,075
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest53,909
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Nevada (1)
AreaForestAcres
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
New Hampshire (12)
AreaForestAcres
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest17,110
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,766
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest9,233
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest15,110
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest3,660
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest32,255
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest15,840
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest10,555
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest16,797
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
New Mexico (6)
AreaForestAcres
Capitan MountainsLincoln National Forest14,069
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Contiguous To Gila Wilderness & Primitive AreaGila National Forest79,049
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Meadow CreekGila National Forest34,167
NolanGila National Forest13,051
North Carolina (7)
AreaForestAcres
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
BearwallowPisgah National Forest4,113
Graveyard Ridge (addition)Pisgah National Forest1,958
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Pond Pine BCroatan National Forest2,961
Sam Knob (addition)Pisgah National Forest2,576
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
North Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Long X DivideDakota Prairie Grasslands10,099
Oregon (9)
AreaForestAcres
Crane MountainFremont National Forest23,096
HellholeUmatilla National Forest65,679
HomesteadWallowa-Whitman National Forest5,817
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Mt. BaileyUmpqua National Forest18,401
Sky Lakes AWinema National Forest3,940
TahkenitchSiuslaw National Forest5,799
West - South BachelorDeschutes National Forest25,994
WoahinkSiuslaw National Forest5,309
Pennsylvania (1)
AreaForestAcres
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
South Dakota (1)
AreaForestAcres
Indian CreekBuffalo Gap National Grassland24,666
Tennessee (2)
AreaForestAcres
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Flint Mill GapCherokee National Forest9,494
Texas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas1,447
Utah (9)
AreaForestAcres
0401002Ashley National Forest36,113
0401023Ashley National Forest8,352
0401032Ashley National Forest6,471
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
418029Uinta National Forest15,673
Thousand Lake MountainFishlake National Forest27,267
WellsvilleWasatch-Cache National Forest1,717
Vermont (2)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Virginia (9)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Raccoon BranchJefferson National Forest4,388
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Shawvers Run AdditionJefferson National Forest1,927
Washington (9)
AreaForestAcres
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest33,862
Blue SlideWenatchee National Forest17,505
Boulder RiverMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest32,563
EntiatWenatchee National Forest72,617
Glacier Peak JMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest26,482
Glacier Peak KMt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest47,269
Rock CreekWenatchee National Forest32,239
South QuinaultOlympic National Forest11,081
TaneumWenatchee National Forest26,140
West Virginia (10)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Laurel ForkMonongahela National Forest1,172
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Wyoming (2)
AreaForestAcres
0401036Ashley National Forest6,309
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
References (34)
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