The black-throated green warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family.
Region
Eastern North America and the Caribbean to Central America
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across eastern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and the Appalachian Mountains in mixed and coniferous forests. During migration it uses woodlands, forest edges, and parks throughout eastern North America. In winter it occurs from southern Mexico through Central America and in the Greater Antilles, favoring humid forests and shaded plantations. It is particularly associated with hemlock, spruce–fir, and pine stands on the breeding grounds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small New World warbler is best known for the male’s bold black throat and a buzzy song often rendered as “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee.” It frequently forages high in hemlock, spruce, and mixed forests, where it gleans caterpillars and other arthropods. Populations in some areas are tied to the availability of mature conifers and can be affected by hemlock die-offs. It plays a helpful role in controlling outbreaks of foliage-eating insects like spruce budworm.
Quintana, Texas Male
Female black-throated green Warbler
Black-throated green warbler with chicks
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Territorial during the breeding season, with males singing persistently to defend territories. Pairs typically form monogamous bonds for the season, and the nest is a well-hidden cup placed on a horizontal conifer branch. Outside breeding, it is more tolerant and may join mixed-species flocks during migration and on the wintering grounds.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The song is a buzzy, high-pitched series often rendered as “zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee,” with regional and contextual variations. Males use different song types for territory advertisement and close-range communication. Call notes are sharp, thin chips.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a bright yellow face and olive auricular patch, contrasting black throat and upper chest in adult males, and white underparts with dark streaking along the flanks; two bold white wing bars. Females and immatures are duller with a reduced or dusky throat patch.
Diet
Primarily consumes caterpillars, moths, beetles, and spiders, gleaned from foliage and twigs. It often targets larvae like spruce budworm and may hover-glean or sally short distances to snatch prey. In winter it may supplement its diet with small fruits and occasionally nectar.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mainly in the mid to upper canopy of coniferous and mixed forests. During migration and winter it also forages along forest edges, second-growth, and shade-grown plantations.
