Verdin
Auriparus flaviceps · Penduline Tits
The Verdin is a very small, grayish songbird found in North American deserts. Adults are characterized by a bright yellow head and a rufous shoulder patch. These active birds are known for their unique spherical nests, which they use for both breeding and roosting throughout the year.
Explore the full field guideResident, small, vocal, insectDesert, scrub, thornyAcrobatic, gleaning, activeSpherical nests, roosting
2390 calls·first heard Jun 27·last 10h ago
When it's heardpeak 8a · fall
5a12p9p
How to know it
- Adults display a bright yellow on the forecrown, chin, and throat, which can vary in intensity.
- A small, reddish-brown patch is visible at the bend of the wing on adult birds.
- The overall plumage is a dull gray on the upperparts and pale gray to white underneath.
- Unlike chickadees, Verdins possess a sharply pointed, conical, and blackish bill.