Identification
Males have yellow cheeks crossed by a black eye line, a black throat, and two white wingbars. Females have softer, less contrasting markings.
Central Texas · Mexico & Central America
Golden-cheeked Warbler
Setophaga chrysoparia
A nesting home found only in Texas.
Bright yellow cheeks and a close connection to Ashe juniper make this small songbird a distinctive part of Central Texas woodlands.
Federal ESA · EndangeredSpecies-wide listing
Habitat & seasonal context
Know the species before planning.
Habitat
Breeds in Central Texas woodlands that combine Ashe juniper and deciduous trees. Shredding juniper bark supplies material for its nests.
Seasonal life
Nests in Texas, then migrates to mountain forests in southern Mexico and Central America for winter.
Natural history: USFWS species account.
Conservation status
Endangered
The species remains endangered. A five-year review recommendation does not itself change the listing.
Federal list checked September 23, 2026. View the current federal list.
What shapes its future?
The continuity and condition of its woodland habitat matter throughout its annual cycle. USFWS reports higher reproductive success in larger, less fragmented breeding habitat.
Federal status is one part of the picture. State listings and project requirements vary by location.
Read further
Official references
- USFWS species accountBiology, habitat, migration, and status review.
- Federal endangered & threatened wildlife list50 CFR 17.11 · Current federal listing and population scope.
Sources reviewed September 23, 2026.