Bird of the Week
The Golden-cheeked Warbler is an endangered species that breeds in Central Texas and is the only bird species with a breeding range restricted to Texas.
Golden-cheeked Warblers typically forage by grabbing insects from foliage and branches, a strategy known as gleaning. They also employ a strategy known as sallying by resting at branch edges until the opportunity arises to snatch insects that fly past. They feed on various insects and spiders with caterpillars a primary source of food.
Females carry the responsibility of nest building as well as keeping the eggs incubated, while male warblers are found either singing or searching for food. Golden-cheeked Warblers only nest once per season, laying between three and four eggs. Females build the nest with strips of juniper bark, rootlets, grasses and cobwebs. They are less noticed compared to the always-singing males.
The main threat to the Golden-cheeked Warbler is the rapid loss of habitat due to urban development. Other major factors are their dependence on ashe juniper trees for the fine bark strips they use for nesting material, over-browsing by deer and goats and the brood parasite Brown-headed Cowbird.
Habitat restoration for this warbler is a U.S. Army success story at Fort Cavazos which protects a large patch of Juniper Oak ecosystem.
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In addition to bark they use spider webs to build their nests. Male warblers win the attention of females through their “chip” sounds. In 2023 the Golden-cheeked Warbler was featured on a USPS Forever stamp as part of the Endangered Species set. It is also known as the “Gold Finch of Texas.” A group of warblers is called a bouquet, fall, wrench, or confusion. Both parents feed nestlings. They beat caterpillars on a branch before eating them and remove a moth’s wings before feeding them to their young.
Golden-cheeked Warbler
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