Acadia National Park

Description  SPRING MALE Has blackish back and wings, except for broad, white wing panel. Rump is yellow and dark tail has white marginal band towards middle. Blackish nape links to mask above which is white supercilium and blue-gray crown. Underparts are mostly bright yellow with black chest band and streaks from chest band to flanks; undertail coverts are white. SPRING FEMALE Similar, but black elements of body plumage are gray or much duller black. FALL ADULT Recalls spring female, but lacks white supercilium; has two white wing bars. IMMATURE Less colorful than fall adult, unstreaked below.

Dimensions  Length: 5" (13 cm)

Habitat  Fairly common summer visitor (mainly Jun-Aug) to northern mixed coniferous forests. Winters in Central America.

Observation Tips  Easy to see.

Range  Alaska, California, Florida, Mid-Atlantic, Texas, Rocky Mountains, Eastern Canada, Western Canada, Plains, New England, Southeast, Southwest, Great Lakes, Northwest

Voice  Song is a whistled swee-swee-swee-sweep; call is a thin tzic.

Discussion  Colorful wood-warbler with diagnostic tail underside: white with broad, dark tip. Often feeds at low levels. Sexes are dissimilar.