Verdin << VUR duhn >> is a small, yellow-headed bird that lives in the arid portions of the southwestern United States and of Mexico. It is about 41/2 inches (11 centimeters) long. Its body is ash-colored, and the breast is lighter. The nest is ball-shaped with a small entrance on the side. It is made of twigs and built in a thorny tree. It protects the bird from predators (hunting animals) and harsh weather. The female typically lays four or five eggs, which are greenish-blue with brown specks. Verdins often raise a new family twice during a breeding season. The birds primarily feed on insects and spiders. They also sometimes eat fruit and flower nectar.
