Description:

This little insect eater looks nothing like any of its relatives. This is the only Warbler to have such a distinctive face pattern. This bird is a Spring and Fall migrant to our area. Breeds from southern Alaska to southern Oregon. Has a "weezy weezy weezy twee" song.


Appearance:

General: 4.25 inches in length.

Male: Overall, bright yellow body with black streaks on sides and back. Black wings with white bars. Olive colored back. Short, thin, pointy black bill. Black legs. Black cheek and crown with a broad yellow patch around the eye (black areas incircle the yellow eye patch). Black throat and upper breast.

Female: Similiar to male, except has yellow throat and breast, and a white belly, sides, and undertail coverts.

Immature: Dark green crown and cheeks instead of black.


Habitat:

Open woodlands.


Nesting:

3-5 white eggs with brown speckles and markings. They have a 12 day incubation period. Fledging occurs 8-10 days after hatching. The nest is a shallow, open cup built in the upper canopy of a coniferous tree.


Observed Locations:

• Lake Murray, La Mesa
• Mission Trails Regional Park, San Diego
• FRNC, Point Loma
• Bird and Butterfly Garden, Tijuana River Valley