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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. XCV
Field-journal plate: Yellow-breasted Chat
The Yellow-breasted Chat plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate XCV

Yellow-breasted Chat

Icteria virens

Icteriidae · Taxon 10243

Length18–20 cm (7.1–7.9 in)
Wingspan25–28 cm (9.8–11 in)
Weight23–36 g (0.8–1.3 oz)

Field marks

  1. Bright yellow throat and breast contrasting with a white lower belly
  2. Olive-gray upperparts with olive-brown, rounded wings
  3. Bold white spectacles around the dark eye and a white mustache stripe
  4. Thick, dark bill set on a large gray head
  5. Bulky, broad-chested body with a long olive-brown tail
  6. Dark gray legs and feet

HabitatDense thickets, scrub, bramble tangles, forest edges and clearings, streamside shrubbery, and wetland margins; during migration and winter, favors similarly low, dense vegetation, scrub, and woodland edges.

BehaviorUsually secretive, skulking quietly in low, dense vegetation. Gleans insects and spiders from foliage, also eating berries and other fruit. During the breeding season, males sing varied whistles, cackles, rattles, and gurgles from exposed perches and may perform exaggerated display flights.

Palette

bright yellowolive greenslate graywhitecharcoal black