Common yellowthroat (May 20)

Geothlypis trichas

It’s a good year to be a common yellowthroat in Kansas, because of the uncommon amount of rain we’ve had this spring.

These five-inch birds nest statewide. Some of their best nesting areas have been in such moist areas as cattails and brush-filled marshes.

With their neon-yellow front, it’s easy to see how the species got its name. The black mask over the face of males stands in contrast to their namesake yellow necks.

Even with such vibrant colors, yellowthroats can be hard to spot in their dense nesting areas. Often, their “wichity-wichity-wichity-wick” calls are the first indications that the brightly-colored birds are around.

This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 5:51 PM with the headline "Common yellowthroat (May 20)."