Yellow-breasted Chat

Yellow-breasted Warbler ( Icteria virens)

The Yellow-breasted Warbler ( Icteria virens), also known as a ventriloquist Warbler is a small, insectivorous bird and the only species in the genus Icteria.

Features

With a body length of about 19 centimeters and a wingspan of about 25 centimeters, the Yellow-breasted Warbler is the largest species within the family of warblers. The plumage is olive to olive brown on the top. On abdominal area they wear a white plumage and to the chest and throat area of ​​a yellow one. The dark brown eyes are surrounded by crescent-shaped white circles above the eye and below the eye. Over the eye a white line is going up to the front of the head. On the cheek she wear an elongated white spot.

Proliferation and threat

Yellow-breasted Warbler are common songbirds in North America. The distribution area extends from the south during the breeding season in Canada to central Mexico. Over the winter they move to Mexico and Central America. Due to the loss of their habitats Yellow-breasted Warbler are at risk in their portfolios. Another threat is the brown -headed cowbird ( Molothrus ater), laying in the nests of the Yellow-breasted Warbler brood parasites as his balls.

Subspecies

From the way three subspecies are known so far.

• Icteria virens auricollis ( Deppe, 1830)
• Icteria virens tropicalis ( Van Rossem, 1939)
• Icteria virens virens (Linnaeus, 1758)

The taxon Icteria virens danotia ( Oberholser, 1974) and Icteria virens longicauda (Lawrence, 1853) are generally considered invalid.