Verdin
Image: Lena Zappia (cc-by-nc)
NameVerdin
Common NameVerdin
Scientific NameAuriparus flaviceps
FamilyRemizidae
Wingspan (cm)16
Length (cm)11
Weight (g)7
Plumage DetailsAdult Verdins have a dull gray body, a bright yellow head and throat, and a distinctive reddish-chestnut patch on the lesser coverts (shoulder). The undertail coverts are whitish. Juveniles are duller, lacking the yellow head and shoulder patch.
Vocalization / CallIts song is a series of clear, whistled notes, often described as 'tseet-tsee-tsee-tsee'. It also produces various sharp contact calls and alarm notes.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsdesert scrub, chaparral, mesquite bosques, riparian areas
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeThe Verdin is found in the southwestern United States, including southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, extending south through much of Mexico to central Mexico.
Identifying Featuressmall size, gray body, bright yellow head (adults), reddish shoulder patch (adults), pointed bill, active foraging in thorny vegetation
Description
The Verdin is a tiny, active songbird of arid regions, characterized by its gray body, bright yellow head, and a distinctive reddish shoulder patch. It is often seen flitting through thorny shrubs and cacti, foraging for insects and nectar.
