Golden-winged Warbler

Overview

The golden-winged warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) is a small, migratory insectivorous songbird belonging to the New World warbler family. Classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, this species is characterised by two distinct populations that breed in the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Lakes region, respectively.

Identification

• Small songbird measuring approximately 11.6 cm in length with a slender, long bill.
• Males feature a black throat and a white-bordered black mask, while females possess a light grey throat and mask.
• Both sexes display a yellow crown, a yellow patch on the wing, and extensive white on the tail that is conspicuous from below.
• Song is typically a trilled 'bzzzzzzz buzz buzz buzz', accompanied by a buzzy 'chip' or 'zip' call.

Habitat

Breeding occurs in shrubland, open scrubby areas, wetlands, and regenerating forest communities maintained by disturbance. The species is a neotropical-nearctic migrant, with Appalachian birds wintering in South America and Great Lakes birds wintering in Central America and Mexico.

Diet

Nestlings are fed almost exclusively on caterpillars, particularly leafrollers, by their parents. Adults subsist heavily on caterpillars and occasionally spiders, using strong gaping musculature around the bill to uncover hidden insects.

Did you know?

In 2015, a female golden-winged warbler abandoned her fledglings, which were subsequently 'adopted' by a male black-and-white warbler that fed them for 23 days until they reached independence.