The golden-winged warbler is a small migratory insectivorous bird in the New World warbler family Parulidae. It breeds in southeastern and south-central Canada and in the Appalachian Mountains in the northeastern to north-central United States. The majority (~70%) of the global population breeds in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Manitoba. Golden-winged warbler populations are slowly expanding northwards but are generally declining across its range. This is most likely as a result of habitat loss and competition/interbreeding with the very closely related blue-winged warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera, albeit the latter point has been debated. Populations are now restricted to two regions: the Great Lakes and the Appalachian Mountains.
Region
Eastern North America; northern Central America and northern South America (winter)
Typical Environment
Breeds in the Great Lakes states and provinces and along the Appalachian Mountains, using shrubby wetlands, old fields, and regenerating clearcuts near mature forest. Prefers dense, low vegetation for nesting while foraging in nearby saplings and edges. In winter, it occupies foothill and montane forests, second growth, and shade-coffee plantations. Habitat loss and succession that closes canopy cover reduce suitable breeding sites.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2400 m
Climate Zone
Other
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This warbler favors early-successional shrublands and regenerating forest edges, making it highly sensitive to habitat changes. It readily hybridizes with the closely related blue-winged warbler, producing the well-known Brewster’s and Lawrence’s warblers. Conservation actions often focus on creating and maintaining young forest and shrubby wetlands.
An illustration of adult golden-winged warblers – male (above) and female (below).
Lawrence's Warbler
Brewster's Warbler
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeding males defend territories vigorously and perform conspicuous song perches. Nests are cup-shaped and usually placed on or near the ground in dense herb or shrub cover; females do most of the nest building and incubation. Outside the breeding season they join mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy and subcanopy.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
The song is a buzzy, insect-like series often rendered as a thin 'bee-bzzz bzzz bzzz,' carried from exposed perches. Calls are sharp chips and soft buzzes used during foraging and agitation.
