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Black-Throated Green Warbler male, no location given, 2011. William H. Majoros. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Black-Throated Green Warbler female, St. Louis, MO, September 2012. Andy Reago and Chrissy McClarren. Courtesy of Wikimedia commons.

black-throated green warbler

Setophaga virens

Identification: 
Smaller than a sparrow, the Black-Throated Green Warbler male has a black “bib,” yellow face, two white wing bars, and green back.  The female has a white throat.  Each has a darker ear patch just behind and below the eye.  The bill is small and pointed.

Behavior:
This little warbler gleans insects from foliage in boreal coniferous forests, and it will also use mixed or deciduous forest stands.  Its primary diet in breeding season is insects, especially lepidoptera larvae.

What brings it to the SBG?
Food, cover, possibly nest sites.  Since it relies so much on an insect diet, the SBG is a good habitat for this warbler. 

When can I see it?
May to November, though more likely during migration season (spring or fall).  The Black-Throated Green Warbler winters on Caribbean islands and in Central and South America.