| Bahama yellowthroat | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Parulidae |
| Genus: | Geothlypis |
| Species: | G. rostrata |
| Binomial name | |
| Geothlypis rostrata Bryant, H, 1867 | |
 | |
The Bahama yellowthroat (Geothlypis rostrata) is a New World warbler. It is a resident breeder endemic to the Bahamas. [1]
It is closely related to common yellowthroat, Altamira yellowthroat and Belding's yellowthroat, and is also considered conspecific with these taxa.[ citation needed ]
Four subspecies have been recognised: [2]
The Bahama yellowthroat is about 15 cm (5.9 in) long with a large bill. The adult male of the nominate race G. r. rostrata, found on Andros and New Providence islands has an olive-green back and mainly yellow underparts, slightly paler on the belly. It has a black facemask and grey forecrown. The female is similar, but lacks the black mask and has a grey crown; she may have a whiter belly. [3] : 73–74 [4]
The adult male of G. r. tanneri, found on Grand Bahama, Great Abaco and associated islands, has a yellow tinge to the forecrown band, and G. r. coryi of Eleuthera and Cat [5] islands has a mainly yellow forecrown. [4]
The Bahama yellowthroat can be distinguished from wintering common yellowthroats by its greater size, [3] : 74 heavier bill and slower, more deliberate movements. Males additionally have more extensively yellow underparts, a larger facemask extending onto the nape, and in the case of coryi the distinctive yellow forecrown. Females have a grey wash to the head not shown by common yellowthroat. The Bahama yellowthroat also inhabits higher vegetation than the common yellowthroat. [6] : 510–511
The song of Bahama yellowthroat is a loud wichety wichety wichety wich, similar to that of common yellowthroat. The call is a softer jip than that of common yellowthroat.[ citation needed ]
The breeding habitat of the Bahama yellowthroat is dense dry or damp low scrub, usually drier than the areas used by wintering common yellowthroats. It builds a cup nest low in dense vegetation or a tree stump, and lays two eggs. Like other yellowthroats, it forages low in vegetation and feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. [1]
This species is common, [1] but is outnumbered in winter by migrant common yellowthroats.
