Acadia National Park

Description  ADULT MALE Has mostly blue-gray upperparts including nape and rear of crown; grades to black on forecrown. Has dark wings overall and two striking white wing bars. Face is mostly black, with white lower "eyelid" and patch on side of neck; supercilium is either pure white (western subspecies) or mostly white, but tinged yellow in front of eye (eastern subspecies). Throat and chest are yellow and underparts are otherwise white with blue-gray streaks on flanks. ADULT FEMALE Similar to male but with grayer forecrown and less striking stripes on flanks. IMMATURE Similar to adult female but with grubby wash on flanks.

Dimensions  Length: 5" (13 cm)

Habitat  Common summer visitor (mainly Apr-Aug) to southeastern pine and broadleaved woodlands, usually near water; winters from southern U.S. to Central America.

Observation Tips  Easy to see.

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

Voice  Song is descending series of shrill whistles tsi, tsi, tsi, tsi, tsu-tsu-tsu; call is a sharp t'swit.

Discussion  Smart-looking, long-billed warbler. Combination of bright yellow throat and mostly black face with pale supercilium, white lower "eyelid," and white patch on side of neck, are diagnostic. Forages in a deliberate manner for insects, carefully scrutinizing leaves, needles, and crevices as it goes. Sexes are similar, but separable.