This western warbler is patterned in black, gray, and white, except for the tiny yellow spot above the lores. Adult Male: Upperparts are gray with fine black steaks on the back and two white wing bars. The head is boldly patterned, with black on the crown, cheek patch, and throat separated by a broad white supercilium and malar stripe. The underparts are white, with black streaks on the sides and upper breast. The outer tail feathers show extensive white. From below, the tail looks completely white. Adult Female: Similar to male, but with variable amounts of white on the throat. The crown and cheek patch are dark gray, not black as on the male, and the back has less prominent black streaking. Juvenile: Similar to adult, but upperparts may show a brownish cast. On juvenile females, the throat lacks any black, and streaking on the underparts is limited to the sides. Underparts may be washed in buff.

Length: 11 (cm) Wingspan: 19 (cm)

Voice:

Song, which consists of a series of buzzy notes, is highly variable. One type ends with a strong accent: zee-a, zee-a, zee-a, ZEEE-azoo. Another is a longer, faster series of buzzy notes without the accent. Call note is a dull "thic." Flight call is a high see.

Habitat:

Mixed woodlands with thick understory, riparian corridors; usually at low elevation.

Behavior:

Feeds somewhat methodically, working its way out along a branch and then making a short flight to another branch. Does very little hovering or flycatching.

Feeding:

Gleans insects from vegetation.