Gray-crowned Yellowthroat illustration
Birdsong field guide

Gray-crowned Yellowthroat

Geothlypis poliocephala

A robust, thick-billed warbler of the genus Geothlypis, recognized by its extensive slate-gray crown and vibrant yellow underparts.

What it sounds like

A rich, rolling series of sweet whistles and warbles, typically more melodic and varied than the Common Yellowthroat.

Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Rec. Peter Boesman · GuatemalaCC BY-NC-NDXeno-canto

Field notes

  • Unlike most yellowthroats, it lacks a prominent black mask, featuring instead subtle dark lores and white eye-rings.
  • It is significantly larger and more heavy-bodied than the closely related Common Yellowthroat.
  • This species is largely non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories throughout its subtropical range.
  • It possesses a relatively long, rounded tail that it frequently pumps or flicks while foraging.
  • The bill is notably stout with a pale lower mandible, an adaptation for its specific foraging niche in dense cover.
Habitat
Tall humid grasslands, overgrown pastures, marshes, and agricultural fields with scattered shrubs.
Range
From the extreme southern tip of Texas through Mexico and Central America to western Panama.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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