Belding's yellowthroat

Geothlypis beldingi

Belding's yellowthroat (Geothlypis beldingi) is a New World warbler.

Family: Parulidae Order: passerines Conservation: Vulnerable

About the Belding's yellowthroat

Belding's yellowthroat (Geothlypis beldingi) is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeder endemic to the southern Baja California Peninsula (Mexico). It is closely related to common yellowthroat, Altamira yellowthroat and Bahama yellowthroat, with which it forms a superspecies, and was formerly considered conspecific. The breeding habitat is freshwater marshes and lagoons, usually with cattails. It builds a cup nest of dead cattails which is usually attached to low on the stem of a living cattail. It lays 2–4 eggs, usually 3. Like other yellowthroats it forages low in vegetation and feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. The Belding's yellowthroat is 14 cm long with an olive-green back and bright yellow belly. The adult male of the southern nominate race G. b. beldingi has y

Fun Facts About Belding's yellowthroat

The Belding's yellowthroat is 14 cm long with an olive-green back and bright yellow belly.
This race has been drastically affected by habitat loss, and is now restricted to several small marshes in southernmost Baja California [the estero at San Jose del Cabo and the lagoon at Todo Santos; August, 2007].
The breeding habitat is freshwater marshes and lagoons, usually with cattails.
It is larger and slightly brighter than the migratory races of common yellowthroat which winter in Baja California, and the male's mask extends further onto the nape than is the case with the visitors.
goldmaii has a pale belly and grey forecrown, making it very similar to some non-migratory southwestern races of common yellowthroat, which, however, do not overlap in range.

Conservation Status

The Belding's yellowthroat is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This species faces threats that could impact its population if conservation measures are not maintained.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	passerines
Family	Parulidae
Genus	Geothlypis
Species	Geothlypis beldingi

Range & Habitat