Length: 5 in. long
Weight: 8-11g
Moths and their larvae and pupae, other winged insects and spiders
Most territories between 1 and 12 acres; 4-5 eggs per nest with all incubation by
female;
incubation 10-11 days and young fledge in 8-9 days; usually just one nest unless first
nest destroyed; commonly parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbird.
Unknown
Since the Golden-winged Warbler is a specialist in early successional habitats, its
breeding range will always be somewhat dynamic. Little is known of the distribution of
this species before the clearing of forests on a large scale in the late 1700’s and
1800’s,
and it is possible this species was once uncommon in our state. Many of these cleared
areas in our mountains are now forests again and private lands may hold much potential
habitat. In short, this bird’s population levels will be largely controlled by human
management in the future. Cowbirds and edge predators may be problems, as will
Blue-winged Warblers in the future if they expand their range in North Carolina.