Golden-cheeked Warbler

The Golden-cheeked Warbler, Setophaga chrysoparia, presents a striking visage with its vivid yellow cheeks set against a contrasting black throat and back. This small songbird is distinguished by its unique buzzing song that resonates through the wooded canyons of its breeding grounds.

Identification Tips

To identify the Golden-cheeked Warbler, look for the bright yellow cheeks, black throat, and back. The male's song, a distinctive buzzy series of notes, is often the first clue to its presence in its preferred habitat.

Habitat

This warbler favors the mature stands of ashe juniper and oak woodlands, where it finds both shelter and nesting materials. It is particularly dependent on the fine bark strips of the ashe juniper for constructing its nest.

Distribution

The Golden-cheeked Warbler is a Texas endemic, breeding exclusively in the central part of the state and migrating to Central America for the winter. Its breeding range spans 33 counties in central Texas.

Behaviour

Males arrive at the central Texas breeding grounds approximately five days before females to establish territories. They attract mates with their "chip" calls and defend their territory with song and sometimes physical aggression. Females are responsible for nest building and incubation, while males may accompany them when foraging away from the nest.

Song & calls

The male's song is a buzzy series of notes, used for both attracting a mate and territorial defense. The "chip" call serves as both a mating call and an alarm signal.

Breeding

Females construct the nest using juniper bark, rootlets, grasses, cobwebs, cocoons, and occasionally animal fur. They lay 3 to 4 creamy-white eggs, which are incubated for about 12 days. The male does not assist with incubation but may accompany the female during feeding trips.

Similar Species

There are no similar species within the Golden-cheeked Warbler's limited range, making it quite distinctive in its native habitat.

Diet and Feeding

The Golden-cheeked Warbler is insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and spiders, with caterpillars being a primary food source during the breeding season. It employs both gleaning and sallying strategies to capture its prey.

Conservation status

Classified as Endangered, the Golden-cheeked Warbler faces habitat loss due to urban development, over-browsing by ungulates, and nest predation by species such as the Brown-headed Cowbird and Blue Jays. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and restore its habitat, including the Safe Harbor agreement and the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan.

Threats

Habitat loss is the primary threat to the Golden-cheeked Warbler, with specific requirements making it vulnerable to urban development. Over-browsing by deer and goats and nest predation by cowbirds and Blue Jays also pose significant risks to the species' survival.

Ecology

The Golden-cheeked Warbler breeds in juniper-oak woodlands, constructing nests from ashe juniper bark. It maintains monogamous pair bonds for the breeding season, with hatchlings leaving the nest after 9 to 12 days and becoming independent within a month.

In popular culture

The Golden-cheeked Warbler has been featured in literature and was commemorated on a United States Postal Service Forever stamp in 2023 as part of the Endangered Species set.