Wood-Warblers

Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera

Family Parulidae (Wood-Warblers)

Size: 4.75"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Woodland edges, brushy fields

The golden-winged warbler has a long, thin, sharp bill that it uses to extract and pick insects and larvae. The plumage is gray above and pale gray or whitish below, and there are white outer corners to the tail. Yellow wing coverts create a broad yellow patch on the upper wings. Males have a striking black facial mask and throat with a yellow forecrown. Females are patterned similarly but with a gray mask and throat and a grayer yellow crown. They build a nest in thickets on the ground. The breeding male (bottom) and female (top) are illustrated.