Common Yellowthroat

Male Common Yellowthroats are striking, and they are easily identified by the broad
black "robber's mask" that extends well behind their eyes. Females lack this black mask
and are duller in colour. Yellowthroats are rarely seen during the breeding season
because their nests are built deep within the thick vegetation surrounding marshes,
swamps and sloughs.
These insectivores inhabit shrubby areas near water and are most commonly found
around cattail beds, which are their preferred nesting sites. In April, they start to
arrive from their winter homes in South America and the southern United States.
They can be found throughout the Fraser River delta, in Stanley Park, at Burnaby
Lake and in marshy city parks, such as Jericho Beach. Listen for their distinctive
witchety-witchety-witchety call.

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