Black-polled Yellowthroat

Geothlypis speciosa

Very local but fairly common in highland marshes of central Mexico; endemic. Favors extensive reed beds bordering lakes and adjacent bushes near water. Male is distinctive, with black mask blending into dark greenish upperparts (lacks pale border to mask of Common Yellowthroat, which occurs in same areas); also note extensively yellow underparts and dark legs. Female is darker overall than female Common Yellowthroat, with dark (not pinkish) legs. Voice subtly distinctive.

Identification

The black-polled yellowthroat is 12.5-14 cm (4.9-5.5 inches) long and weighs 10–11.8 grams (0.35-0.42 ounces). The male is olive above and yellow below, with a black mask. The female is duller.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Geothlypis speciosa
Authority
Sclater, PL, 1859
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Parulidae
Genus
Geothlypis

Range and habitat

It is endemic to central Mexico and the southwestern Mexican Plateau, in Guanajuato, Michoacán, and México State.<p>Its natural habitats are freshwater lakes and freshwater marshes.<p>It is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, threatened by habitat loss.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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Black-polled Yellowthroat | BirdLens