Verdin
| Verdin | |
|---|---|
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Remizidae |
| Genus: | Auriparus S.F. Baird, 1864 |
| Species: | A. flaviceps |
| Binomial name | |
| Auriparus flaviceps (Sundevall, 1850) |
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The Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) is a species of penduline tit. It is the only species in the genus Auriparus, and the only species in the family to be found in the New World.
The Verdin is a very small bird. At 4.5 inches in length, it rivals the American Bushtit as one of the smallest passerines in North America. It is gray overall, and adults have a bright yellow head and rufous "shoulder patch" (the lesser coverts). Unlike the tits, it has a sharply pointed bill.
Verdins are insectivorous, continuously foraging among the desert trees and scrubs. They are usually solitary except when they pair up to construct their conspicuous nests. Verdins occasionally try to obtain tidbits of dried sugar water from hummingbird feeders.
Verdins are permanent residents of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, ranging from southeastern California to Texas, throughout Baja California and into central Mexico, north of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt.
References [edit]
- ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Auriparus flaviceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- "Auriparus flaviceps". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 9 February 2006.
External links [edit]
- Photo; Article w/Synopsis dwrcdc.nr.Utah.gov, "Verdin", @ Division of Wildlife Resources
- Photo; Article & synopsis "Verdin", at imperial.cc.ca.us-(Imperial Community College, California)
- Verdin photo gallery VIREO
- Audio recordings of Auriparus flaviceps on Xeno-canto.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Auriparus flaviceps |
