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Golden-winged Warbler

Vermivora chrysoptera ORDER: PASSERIFORMES FAMILY: PARULIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Near Threatened

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The Golden-winged Warbler is a small, strikingly marked warbler of eastern early successional habitats. Its population increased for over 100 years as forests were cut down. Now, however, it is losing ground, both because of reforestation and displacement by the spreading Blue-winged Warbler.

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Appearance

Warblers
Warblers
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Small songbird.
  • Black or gray mask and bib.
  • Yellow crown.
  • Bright yellow patch on wings.
  • Back gray.
  • Underparts whitish.

Immature Description

Similar to adult.

Range Map Help

Golden-winged Warbler Range Map
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Field MarksHelp

  • Adult male
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    Golden-winged Warbler

    Adult male
    • Bright yellow crown and wing patch
    • Black mask and throat
    • Gray back
    • White belly
    • Sharp black bill
    • © Gerry Dewaghe, Promised Land State Park, Pennsylvania, May 2010
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Golden-winged Warbler

    Adult male
    • Bright yellow crown and wing patch
    • Black mask and throat patch
    • White belly
    • Gray back, black legs
    • © Gerry Dewaghe, Promised Land State Park, Pennsylvania, May 2005
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Golden-winged Warbler

    Adult female
    • Greenish yellow crown and wing patch, duller than male
    • Pale gray mask on face
    • Gray back, white underparts
    • Sharp black bill
    • © Gerry Dewaghe, Promised Land State Park, Pennsylvania, May 2010
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Golden-winged Warbler

    Adult male
    • Black throat and mask, with black eye
    • Bright yellow crown and wing patch
    • Silvery gray back
    • Thin, pointed black bill
    • © Gerry Dewaghe, June 2006
  • Adult male
    Zoom In

    Golden-winged Warbler

    Adult male
    • Silvery gray back, wings and tail
    • Bright yellow patches on crown and wings
    • Black mask
    • © Laura Erickson, St. Germain, Wisconsin, June 2010
  • Adult female
    Zoom In

    Golden-winged Warbler

    Adult female
    • Yellow-green patches on crown and wings
    • Gray back and flanks, white belly
    • Dark gray patches on face and throat
    • Thin, sharp black bill
    • © Lloyd Spitalnik, Sterling Forest, Orange County, New York, May 2009

Similar Species

  • Chickadees have similar black bib and similar hanging-upside-down foraging tactics, but lack white eyestripe and any trace of yellow.
  • Hybrid "Lawrence's Warbler" has yellow underparts and separate wingbars.