About Myioborus torquatus (S.F.Baird, 1865)
The collared whitestart, scientifically named Myioborus torquatus (S.F.Baird, 1865), is approximately 13 centimeters (5 inches) long and weighs around 10.5 grams (0.4 ounces). This bird has a chestnut crown edged with black, and a black forehead. The remainder of its upper body plumage is slaty black, and its tail is black with white edges. The bird's common name comes from this feature: "start" is an old English term for "tail". Its face and underparts are bright yellow, marked with a distinct black band across the breast. Male and female collared whitestarts have similar plumage. Juvenile birds are duller in coloration, with a browner back, weakly yellow underparts, and an entirely slate-coloured head that lacks yellow facial markings and chestnut crown coloration. This species is common in habitats from 1500 meters in elevation up to the timberline, including mossy mountain forests, ravines, second growth forest, and adjacent pastures.
