This is the eastern representative of the black-throated warbler complex. In all plumages, note the unstreaked olive-green back and crown, the olive auriculars, and the yellow wash across the vent. Adult Male: Yellow face with olive auriculars and yellow crescent below eye. Crown and back are olive-green. The wings are dark gray with two white wing bars. Outer tail feathers show extensive white in flight. The throat and upper breast are black, with heavy black streaks extending down the sides. A pale yellow wash covers the lower breast and vent. In fall, the black throat shows pale feather edges. Adult Female: Very similar to male, but with variable amounts of whitish or pale yellow on the throat, and thinner black streaks on the sides. Juvenile: Young males like adult females. Young females lack black on the throat and breast. Streaks on the sides are thin and blurry.

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

Voice:

Common songs include a rapid zee zee zee zee zoo zeet, and a slower zoo zee zoozoo zee. Very similar to song of Townsend's Warbler. Call is a tsip. Flight call is a clear see.

Habitat:

Breeds in coniferous and mixed forests. Uses any wooded habitat in migration.

Behavior:

When feeding, spends most of its time on the outer foliage, occasionally hovers.

Feeding:

Gleans insects from foliage. Occasionally eats poison ivy berries and other fruit.