Verdin
A species of Verdin Scientific name : Auriparus flaviceps Genus : Verdin
Verdin, A species of Verdin
Botanical name: Auriparus flaviceps
Genus: Verdin
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Photo By Don Faulkner , used under CC-BY-SA-2.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The verdin is a very small bird. At 4.5 in (11 cm) 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. Juveniles have a light gray body without the rufous shoulder patch and yellow head. The base of the short bill is thick by the head, and draws to a sharp point at the tip. 
Size
9-11 cm (3.5-4.5 in)
Colors
Brown
Black
Yellow
Red
Gray
White
Life Expectancy
5 years
Nest Placement
Shrub
Clutch Size
3 - 6 eggs
Feeding Habits
Verdin predominantly feed on insects like aphids, leafhoppers, caterpillars, and spiders, skillfully foraging in small branches and striking larger prey against branches. They also consume nectar, piercing flowers or using feeders, and eat fruits and seedpod pulp from plants like palm and mesquite.
Habitat
Verdin thrives in arid desert scrub and chaparral environments, seeking out leafy shrubs and thorny trees such as acacias, mesquite, and cactus varieties. Favoring areas with vegetative clumps around washes, they adapt to a range of elevations but steer clear of sparse flats and dense woodlands. Their range extends across the Southwest United States and Mexico, where they are permanent residents.
Nest Behavior
Verdin pairs build multiple nests for roosting and breeding year-round, often less than 6 feet up in bushes or shrubs. Both sexes construct nests and after egg-laying, they provide parental care to the eggs and young.
Nest Characteristics
Verdin's nest is a bulky, spherical mass roughly 6 inches in diameter built from thorny twigs. It features an inner sphere lined with feathers, hair, and plant material, encapsulating a small 2-inch cavity. The entrance is a 1-inch hole, typically at the bottom.
Dite type
Insectivorous
People often ask
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Bird Feeder Type
Small Tube Feeder
Platform
Sounds
Call
Recording location: United States
Call
Recording location: United States
Song
Recording location: United States
Song
Recording location: United States
Behavior
Verdin exhibits distinct behaviors, especially during the breeding season. These small birds demonstrate a form of courtship where the male's frequent calls and occasional duets with the female prelude partnership. The male builds a 'display' nest to attract a mate, and once paired, they zealously guard their territory together against rivals. Interestingly, verdin may switch partners annually, not maintaining year-round bonds. Both sexes collaboratively construct durable nests for roosting and reproduction and share responsibilities in incubation and chick-rearing. Post-fledging, the young verdin remain with their parents for foraging, dispersing as winter approaches.
Species Status
Although the verdin is listed as a species of least concern [LC] by the IUCN, The North American Breeding Bird Survey suggests that verdin populations have declined by 1.9% per year between 1968 and 2015. This decline could mean that the species has experienced a cumulative decrease of 60% in that 47-year period. Threats to verdin populations include habitat loss as a result of urbanization, human structure collisions, and predation.
Scientific Classification
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