A federally endangered warbler endemic to Texas Hill Country.

Also called: Golden-cheek

Native status: Native; federally endangered

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 11–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in); wingspan 20 cm
Weight9–10 g
LifespanWild typically 6 years
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyParulidae

§ Encyclopedia

The golden-cheeked warbler is an endangered species of bird that breeds in Central Texas, from Palo Pinto County southwestward along the eastern and southern edge of the Edwards Plateau to Kinney County. The golden-cheeked warbler is the only bird species with a breeding range endemic to Texas.

Source: Wikipedia — Golden-cheeked warbler Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small striking warbler: males have brilliant golden-yellow face with black throat, black eye line, and black back. Females duller — olive back, paler yellow face.

Similar species. Black-throated Green Warbler (olive cheek, range overlaps in migration). Townsend's Warbler (western; black-and-yellow face pattern but different).

Voice. Buzzy "bzz-bzz-bzz-bzeeee" — rising trill.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Caterpillars, spiders, beetles, gnats — gleaned from oak and juniper foliage.

Behavior. The only bird species whose entire breeding range is within a single state — Texas. Federally endangered (1990). Requires mature Ashe juniper for nest material (cedar bark strips) and mature oaks for foraging; both grow together only in central Texas Hill Country. Habitat is being lost to suburban expansion around Austin and San Antonio. Migrates to pine-oak woodlands of southern Mexico and northern Central America.

§ Range

Central Texas

§ Habitat

Ashe juniper and oak woodlands

§ Threats

Habitat loss, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the golden-cheeked warbler is currently classified as Endangered.

§ What helps

Support Texas Hill Country conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • USFWS Golden-cheeked Warbler Recovery
  • Texas Parks and Wildlife
  • Travis Audubon
  • American Bird Conservancy
  • IUCN Red List 2018