Slate-throated Whitestart

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.