Male

Description

Size:  4.75”

Plumage/Description:  Males are bright yellow on the underside, with a gray head, and a Rufous patch on the crown of the head. The back, wings, and tail are an olive-green color. Female plumage is similar, but paler overall and they lack the Rufous patch on the crown of the head. Males and females have a conspicuous complete white eye-ring.

Habitat:   Oak/Chaparral, Pinyon/Juniper, Ponderosa/Coniferous

Time of year:  Spring, Fall

Relative Abundance:  Common during migration as they briefly pass through Arizona

Behavior:   An active foliage gleaner as it searches for insects in trees and shrubs.

Diet:   Insects

Similar species:  Virginia’s Warbler

Best Sites:  Lower elevations of the Bradshaw Mountains, in transition zones where there is a lot of oak, not so much in the Ponderosa Pine habitat.