Wood-Warblers

Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica

Family Parulidae (Wood-Warblers)

Size: 5"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Early-growth forest, shrubby fields, abandoned pasture

The chestnut-sided warbler is a distinctly colored warbler that breeds in New England and often perches with its tail slightly cocked. Adults in summer plumage are streaked black and pale yellow across the back and are white below with a chestnut band along the sides. The head has a bright-yellow crown and a black eye line and moustachial stripe. Females are less chestnut on the sides and less dark on the face. Winter adults are greenish yellow across the back and head with no dark on the face. Chestnut-sided warblers flit through the low understory, gleaning spiders and insects, and sing a series of high, soft notes ending with an accented wee-choo! The breeding male (bottom) and nonbreeding male (top) are illustrated.