Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Slate-throated Whitestart

Myioborus miniatus

The Slate-throated Whitestart, a member of the warbler family, is a small bird with a length of approximately 12 cm (4.7 inches). It boasts a rich rufous head, a dark back, and a striking contrast with its bright yellow breast and belly. The vent and tail tips are white, while the bill is black, and the legs are a blackish-gray hue. Notably, the coloration of the underparts can vary from yellow across most of its range to red in the northernmost areas.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Slate-throated Whitestart, look for its long tail and the distinctive color pattern of a deep rufous head and dark back, combined with the bright yellow underparts. The white vent and tail tips are also key features. The bird's black bill and blackish-gray legs are additional characteristics to note.

Habitat

This species is typically found in humid highland forests, ranging from the upper understory to the mid-canopy. It prefers elevations between 600 to 2,500 meters (2,000 to 8,200 feet) above sea level.

Distribution

The Slate-throated Whitestart has a disjunct distribution across Central and South America. It inhabits regions from Mexico through Central America, the Andes from western Venezuela to northwestern Argentina, the Venezuelan Coastal Range, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the tepuis.

Behaviour

The Slate-throated Whitestart is known for its year-round pair bonding and often joins mixed flocks. It exhibits a behavior of hopping and flitting about, flashing its tail to startle insects, which it then pursues in flight. Occasionally, it may feed on protein corpuscles from Cecropia plants or glean insects from tree bark.

Song & calls

The call of this bird is a sharp "pik" note. Its song varies by region but generally consists of a series of whistled notes, with some slurred upwards and others downwards.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from April to May, with the Slate-throated Whitestart constructing a bulky, roofed nest with a side entrance. Typically nestled in a niche on a bank or steep slope, the female lays 2 to 3 speckled white eggs.

Conservation status

The Slate-throated Whitestart is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of widespread decline.

Slate-throated Whitestart Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Slate-throated Whitestarts on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More New World Warblers

A photo of a Golden-crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus)

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.