Fun Golden-cheeked Warbler Facts For Kids

Joan Agie
Jan 14, 2023 By Joan Agie
Originally Published on Aug 06, 2021
Edited by Jacob Fitzbright
Fact-checked by Pradhanya Rao
Golden-cheeked warbler facts about the North American bird species
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.3 Min

Have you heard of the golden-cheeked warbler, Setophaga Chrysoparia, pronounced 'seh-tuh-fuh-ga kruh-so-pa-ree-aa'? Wondering what it is? It is one of the beautiful birds found only in Texas.

Their yellow and black color makes them different from other birds. Warblers are migratory birds that make their way to Mexico. As a golden-cheeked warbler belongs to the family Parulidae, it is seen in various colors.

A golden-cheeked warbler's call can be described as a song that sounds like 'ter-wih-zeee-e-e-e, chy'. Curious to know more about it, isn’t it? Here are some interesting facts about the golden-cheeked warbler. Afterward, do check our other articles on the chestnut-sided warbler and the mourning warbler.

Golden-Cheeked Warbler Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a golden-cheeked warbler?

The golden-cheeked warbler, Setophaga chrysoparia (formerly Dendroica chrysoparia), is also known as the goldfinch of Texas is a bird that breeds in central Texas. This bird is the only species that builds its nest only in Texas.

During the wintertime, it migrates to Mexico and northern Central America for warmth but it only nests in Texas, especially in a juniper tree’s bark.

What class of animal does a golden-cheeked warbler belong to?

The golden-cheeked warbler is a bird that belongs to the class Aves and the Parulidae family.  It has a black and yellow combination which makes it even prettier. It is found singing from the top of junipers on slopes in the hill country.

How many golden-cheeked warblers are there in the world?

According to the 2019 estimate, there are 27,000 golden-cheeked warblers estimated to be alive today. There is a decrease in the warbler's population every year.

Where does a golden-cheeked warbler live?

The golden-cheeked warbler is an Endangered species of bird that lives in Central Texas. These North American birds build their nest only in Texas, especially in juniper trees.  During winter they migrate to northern Central America to get warmth. They will return to Texas to breed.

What is a golden-cheeked warbler's habitat?

The golden-cheeked warbler is an Endangered species of Passeriform bird that lives in central Texas. They are found in migration in a variety of open woodlands and thicket habitats.

These brown-headed birds build their nest only in Texas. Their open cup nest is made of the barks of Ashe juniper. They migrate to warm places during winter and come back to breed in Texas.

Who do golden-cheeked warblers live with?

The golden-cheeked warbler usually migrates. It can live alone as well as in pairs. Females build nests from cobwebs, juniper bark, roots, and grass. These brown-headed birds sometimes live in pairs.

How long does a golden-cheeked warbler live?

A golden-cheeked warbler may live for around 10 years on average, though this may differ according to their surroundings.

How do they reproduce?

Normally, pairs stay together throughout the nesting season. If one of the partners dies, the other partner will look for a new mate. Females build nests in the shape of open cups with Ashe juniper bark strips and insect silk, along with grass and leaves.

Females lay three to four creamy-white eggs with brown spots during the breeding season. Female does the incubation for 12 days. The hatchlings are fed both by males and females.

What is their conservation status?

An act initiated by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bird as Endangered in terms of conservation status. The habitat of the warbler was destroyed due to the construction of houses, roads or to grow crops.

This urban expansion has decreased the space for them to build nests. The population has been reduced to 27,000 in number, warranting concerted conservation efforts.

Golden-Cheeked Warbler Fun Facts

What do golden-cheeked warblers look like?

Golden-Cheeked Warbler

The golden-cheeked warbler is a bird that belongs to the Endangered species that breed only in the state of Texas. It is black and yellow in color. Its bright yellow cheeks are contrasted by the black color in its neck and throat. The male golden-cheeked warbler has a marked plumage compared to females.

Its lower breast and belly are white with black streaks. Their tail is white and above their eyes is black. Adult female golden-cheeked warbler’s back is olive green with thin black streaks.

How cute are they?

The golden-cheeked warbler is very pretty with its yellow and black color combination.  They are as cute in their appearance as their song is.

How do they communicate?

Golden-cheeked warblers make sounds to communicate with each other. Male birds make 'chip' sounds to attract their females. They use a 'double chip' sound as an alarm call.

How big is a golden-cheeked warbler?

An adult golden-cheeked warbler has an average height of 4.5 in (11 cm).

How fast can a golden-cheeked warbler fly?

The golden-cheeked warbler has a quick flight speed. As its prey are insects, it can fly very fast.

How much does a golden-cheeked warbler weigh?

On an average scale, a golden-cheeked warbler weighs around 0.022 lb (10 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

As the golden-cheeked warbler is a bird, the males and females are known as male golden-cheeked warblers and female golden-cheeked warblers. Males and females remain together throughout the nesting season.

What would you call a baby golden-cheeked warbler?

Golden-cheeked warbler’s babies are called golden-cheeked warbler hatchlings.

What do they eat?

The golden-cheeked warbler’s diet consists of mostly caterpillars, insects, and spiders. They are completely insectivorous. They catch the insects from the surfaces through flight. They also have predators such as fox squirrels, fire ants, snakes, and hawks such as Cooper's hawks.

Are they dangerous?

The golden-cheeked warbler is not dangerous. They are harmless and do not cause threats to others. They usually feed on insects, spiders, and caterpillars.

Would they make a good pet?

The golden-cheeked warbler is not suitable as a pet. They are small birds that build their nests in Texas and nowhere else in the world.

Did you know...

Female golden-cheeked warblers are shy but become active when nest predators try to attack. The males do not have any shyness and are often seen foraging and singing frequently.

Why is the golden-cheeked warbler endangered?

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service listed the bird as Endangered in 1990. The habitat of the golden-cheeked warbler was destroyed due to the construction of houses, roads or to grow crops.

This urban expansion has decreased the space for them to build nests. Their winter habitat is being cut down for timber and takes a very long time to grow back. Due to these reasons, its population has decreased at a significant level and it is currently Endangered.

Why are golden-cheeked warblers important?

Golden-cheeked warblers are of economic importance as they are good for birdwatching. They are very beautiful with their yellow and black plumage. They are one of the Endangered species which need special care and attention.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds including palm warbler facts and Magnolia warbler facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our Golden-Cheeked Warbler Coloring Pages.

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Written by Joan Agie

Bachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy

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Joan AgieBachelor of Science specializing in Human Anatomy

With 3+ years of research and content writing experience across several niches, especially on education, technology, and business topics. Joan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Anatomy from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria, and has worked as a researcher and writer for organizations across Nigeria, the US, the UK, and Germany. Joan enjoys meditation, watching movies, and learning new languages in her free time.

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Fact-checked by Pradhanya Rao

Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing and HR

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Pradhanya RaoBachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing and HR

With a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Christ University, Bangalore, Pradhanya's passion for the English language and literature led her to explore the field of content writing, where she has gained extensive experience in writing, reviewing, editing, and fact-checking. She has also earned certifications in Google Ads Search, Google Ads Display, and Social Media Marketing, showcasing her proficiency in digital marketing.

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