Golden-cheeked Warbler Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  An average-sized warbler, with thin bill and medium-length tail.

  Relative Size

  Larger than a Ruby-crowned Kinglet, smaller than a Song Sparrow.

  sparrow-sized or smaller

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 4.7-5.1 in (12-13 cm)
    • Weight: 0.3-0.5 oz (7-14.7 g)
    • Wingspan: 7.5-8.3 in (19-21 cm)

  © David Hollie / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Adult males have a black breast, upperparts, flank streaks, and eyeline; lemon-yellow face; and white belly. Females and immatures have a fainter version of this pattern.

• Behavior

  Golden-cheeked Warblers forage actively, hunting insects in branches by gleaning (picking them from the surface) as well as by sallying (flying out to catch in midair) and hover-gleaning.
• Habitat

  Breeds (March–July) only in juniper-oak woodlands in the Edwards Plateau, central Texas. Spends the nonbreeding season in southern Mexico and northern Central America, in a variety of brushy and wooded habitats.