Species Name: Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps).

Length: 4.5 inches (11 cm).

Summary: "Small, spritely birds with finely pointed bills. They inhabit arid scrub country, where they feed in brush chickadee-style, and build spherical nests." - Field Guide to the Birds of North America, National Geographic Society.

Description: a small bird (in the range of kinglet, gnatcatcher, warbler) with a distinctive sharply pointed bill. Light gray for the most part; adults have bright yellow or yellow-orange heads and chestnut patches visible on the folded wing. Eye, bill, and legs dark (juvenile shows pale straw on the part or all of the bill). Feather texture appear coarse compared to other birds.

Range: Primarily a northern Mexican species, it reaches its northern limit in the southwestern United States (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and north along the Colorado River into Nevada and Utah) year round.

Behavior: Very active, almost like a kinglet when looking for food. Vocal, with loud ringing three note "song" of plaintive whistles. Call carries over distance - most birds heard well before being seen.

Odd Facts: Builds multiple nests, including a shell nest by the male alone to attract a female. Extra nests are used for resting and to avoid the direct heat of day. Nests are closed globes with a small entrance on the lower part, with a clear flight path in and out. Sometimes visits hummingbird feeders.

Related or Similar Species: Only species in family Remizidae; closest relative is Bushtit of the western mountains.

Identification: Unmistakable within range. Possibly confused with a warbler, but distinctive bill and loud calls should make identification easy.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: A common bird within range. Listen for three plaintive whistle song then look for active small bird in scrubby habitat and around urban plantings. Difficult to work with due to small size and high energy movement. Easiest to work with near an active nest once approach patterns have been observed, but as with any nesting species care should be taken to avoid keeping aduld birds from their feeding duties. Adults may use convenient perches near the nest repeatedly, so compose and focus in advance as Verdins don't sit long even under these predictable conditions.

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