ID Keys: Yellow eyebrows and throat unique, olive-gray overall,
lighter underneath
The
Yellow-faced Grassquit is a rare vagrant to the United States, being found
on several occasions in extreme southern Texas along the Rio Grande, or in
extreme southern Florida. The normal range covers much of eastern Mexico,
Central America, and scattered locations in far northern South America.
They are also an introduced species in Hawaii, where they have established
likely permanent breeding populations.
Habitat
Found in a variety of settings with
scattered trees and shrubs, including fencelines, roadside thickets, shrubby
or grassy fields, and forest clearings. They typically need some
taller and thicker vegetation such as scattered shrubs, and they will avoid
areas of unbroken grassland or pasture.
Diet
Feeds almost exclusively on seeds if
available, preferring the seeds of a few select species, but taken others if
those are not available. They will also occaisionally take fruits and
berries, and insects and spiders. Nectar is also taken from flowers.
Behavior
Foraging is usually done by hopping on
the ground, scratching the ground as it moves along. Insects are
gleaned from the ground or from vegetation.
Nesting
Yellow-faced Grassquits are loosely
colonial when nesting, with several nests in one small area. The nest
itself is a domed cup of small sticks, lined with grasses, animal hair, or
other softer items. The female lays between 2 and 4 eggs, and she
alone incubates them. Incubation takes about two weeks, after which, both
parents tend to the young and feed them.
Song
Song is a buzzy, quiet trilling.
Migration
Considered a permanent resident
throughout most of its range. Given records in the United States, there are
some indications of movement for some birds after breeding.
Feeders
Will attend feeders for commonly
offered seed items.
