Setophaga chrysoparia
male
The Golden-cheeked Warbler is an aptly named species. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have a black back, nape, crown, and throat; this color contrasts with, and offsets, the yellow face, which has a dark eye stripe. The black wings have two white wingbars, and the tail is dark above with white outer feathers, and white below. The underparts are otherwise white with black streaks on the flanks. Adult females are similar to an adult male but the throat is yellowish and flecked with black, and other black elements of the male’s plumage are dark gray. Immatures are similar to an adult female but lack the dark chest band and have only faint streaks on the flanks.
The Golden-cheeked Warbler is present as a breeding species in its restricted range in central Texas mainly from April to June. It spends the rest of the year in Central America.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 5.25 in (13.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Mixed oak and juniper woodland
STATUS Rare summer visitor
VOICE Song is a buzzing drr-zee, drr-zee, drr-zee . . . Call is a soft tsip
