The black-lored yellowthroat is a New World warbler. It has a number of separate resident breeding populations in South America from western Ecuador to western Peru. It was previously considered a subspecies of the masked yellowthroat.
Region
Western Ecuador and northwestern Peru (Tumbes–Chocó region)
Typical Environment
Found in coastal and near-coastal lowlands where it favors freshwater and brackish marshes, reedbeds, wet pastures, and vegetated edges of ponds, ditches, and rice fields. It keeps to dense emergent vegetation such as cattails, sedges, and rushes, often near slow-moving water. Populations are patchy and tied to suitable wetland cover. It may also occur along overgrown canals and in seasonally flooded scrub.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A skulking New World warbler of dense marshes and wet thickets, the black-lored yellowthroat is named for the male’s distinctive black lores and mask. It occurs in disjunct resident populations from western Ecuador into northwestern Peru and was formerly treated as a subspecies of the masked yellowthroat. Habitat loss and fragmentation of coastal wetlands are ongoing concerns for this localized species.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over vegetation
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. Nests are cup-shaped and placed low in dense grasses or reeds, with both sexes involved in nesting duties. Territorial during breeding, but may occur loosely alongside other marsh birds where habitat is extensive.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
The male delivers a clear, lively series of whistles and short warbles from within cover, often repeated from a concealed perch. Calls include sharp chips and tchs notes given when alarmed or moving through dense vegetation.
