General Description: Verdins (Auriparus flaviceps) are tiny birds with yellow heads, gray bodies, and a chestnut shoulder patch. The yellow seems to fade during winter, and juveniles lack yellow.

Taxonomy: Passeriformes, Remizidae.

Favored Habitat: Brushy places, yards.

Where to Find: Verdins seem to occur everywhere, but they are hard to find anywhere. The Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve is one of the best places to be sure of seeing one. Suburban yards and urban parks can be productive.

Comments: Verdins make big, covered nests (at least big for such a tiny bird). Their summer nests are open and airy, but the winter nests are tightly woven and packed with warm nesting materials (such as the downy feathers of other birds).

Adult Verdin with yellow head, chestnut shoulder patch, and although you can't tell from here, a big voice.