Acadia National Park

Description  ADULT MALE Has olive-brown nape, back, wings, and tail. Head has broad, black mask, bordered above by a broad, grayish band, and below by bright yellow throat. Most eastern birds have bright yellow undertail coverts and grayish flanks; flanks of Gulf coast birds are usually buffish brown; western birds (outside range covered by this book) have uniformly bright yellow underparts. Legs are pink in all birds. ADULT FEMALE Lacks male's striking head markings (face is olive-brown), but is otherwise similar, given regional variation; yellow throat and undertail coverts are striking in all birds. IMMATURE Similar to adult female, but throat is less colorful.

Dimensions  Length: 4 1/2-6" (11-15 cm)

Habitat  Common summer visitor (mainly Apr-Aug) to grassy and brushy marsh habitats, often near water. Winters from southern U.S. through Central America.

Observation Tips  Learn the song and call.

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

Voice  Song is a vibrant, whistled wee-ter, wee-chertee, wee-chertee, wee; call is a tongue-smacking tchet.

Discussion  Secretive wood-warbler, easier to hear than to see. Black mask makes male unmistakable. Sexes are dissimilar.