General

Golden-cheeked Warbler: Medium-sized warbler with black upperparts and white underparts with thick black streaks on sides. Head has black cap and throat, bright yellow face, and dark eye-line. Wings are dark with two white bars. Female is duller with olive-green upperparts, streaked cap, and white throat. Rare in central Texas.

Range and Habitat

Golden-cheeked Warbler: Breeds in south-central Texas, in oak-juniper woodlands; loss of this habitat has resulted in the species being placed on the U.S. Endangered Species List. Spends winters south of the U.S.-Mexico border. Preferred habitats include rocky hillsides covered with juniper.

Listen to Call

Voice Text

"bzzz-layzee-dayzee", "tweeah-tweeah-tweesy"

Interesting Facts

 The Golden-cheeked Warbler is the only bird species with a breeding range confined to Texas.

 It is one of the most at-risk species in North America.

 They are endangered because many tall juniper and oak woodlands have been cleared to build houses, roads, and stores. Some habitat was cleared to grow crops or grass for livestock. Other habitat areas were flooded when large lakes were built.

 A group of warblers has many collective nouns, including a "bouquet", "confusion", "fall", and "wrench" of warblers.

Author

Gary Owen Dick