Verdin Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesVerdin
Adult
Tiny desert bird with a yellow head and chestnut shoulder patches (not always visible).
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryTexas, December 05, 2019Adult
Tiny pale gray bird of the desert with a yellow head. Chestnut shoulder patches may not always be visible.
© Eric Ellingson / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 18, 2017Adult
Flits quickly among twigs of desert shrubs to forage for insects.
© Benjamin Clock / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 22, 2013Not all videos have sound
Juvenile
Juveniles are pale gray overall and lack the yellow head of adults. The bill is yellow, especially when very young.
© Jim Hully / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 01, 2016Juvenile
Juveniles are pale gray overall and lack the adult's yellow head and chestnut shoulder patches. The short bill is thicker at the base and finely pointed at the tip.
© Ad Konings / Macaulay LibraryTexas, June 21, 2020Adult
Small and delicate songbird with a small, sharply pointed bill. Adults have a yellow head and chestnut shoulder patches.
© Sharif Uddin / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 15, 2020Habitat
Found in desert scrub, especially along washes with thorny vegetation.
© Zach DuFran / Macaulay LibraryArizona, February 07, 2018Similar SpeciesLucy's Warbler
Adult male
Lucy's Warblers may be confused with juvenile Verdins, but the base of the bill is thinner on Lucy's than Verdin. Lucy's also have a faint eyering that juvenile Verdins lack.
© Arlene Ripley / Macaulay LibraryArizona, May 07, 2016Similar SpeciesBushtit
Male (Interior)
Bushtits may be confused with juvenile Verdins, but they have a smaller bill and a longer tail.
© Darren Clark / Macaulay LibraryIdaho, March 13, 2017Similar SpeciesBlue-gray Gnatcatcher
Female/nonbreeding male
Compared to juvenile Verdins, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers have a white eyering and dark tail; 2 features that juvenile Verdins lack.
© Peter Hawrylyshyn / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, June 09, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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