Yellow-headed Warbler

Overview

The yellow-headed warbler (Teretistris fernandinae) is a small bird in the family Teretistridae, endemic to western Cuba. It is one of only two species in its family, alongside the Oriente warbler.

Identification

• Approximately 13 cm long with a weight range of 6 to 18.5 g.
• Entire head is yellow with an olive tinge on the crown and nape; upperparts are gray and underparts lighter grayish white.
• Song consists of a series of buzzy grating notes interspersed with sweeter, more musical notes, accompanied by rapid, high-pitched, staccato chattering calls.

Habitat

Found in far western mainland Cuba, Isla de la Juventud, and the nearby Cayo Cantiles. It inhabits all available forest types with a relatively undisturbed understory, as well as scrubby thickets in drier areas, ranging from lowlands to high mountains.

Diet

Forages from the ground to the forest mid-level, gleaning rocks and foliage for insects and other invertebrates. It is also believed to take small lizards and often forages in flocks.

Did you know?

This species was originally classified within the New World warblers (Parulidae) but was moved to its own family in 2017 following phylogenetic studies of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA.