Golden-winged Warbler Conservation

Learn about our work to conserve Golden-winged Warblers.

Photo: Ed Buress

Golden-winged Warbler populations are on the decline in the United States. One way that Audubon North Carolina is impacting that decline is through mitigating and reversing habitat loss.

Considered a forest bird, the Golden-winged Warbler needs at least 70 percent of the surrounding landscape to be forested. Having access to ample shrubland is also critical for nest site locations.

The need to restore shrubland, or the earliest stage of forest growth, is becoming more important as land use changes for the Golden-winged Warbler breeding grounds in North Carolina. Biologists are working with farmers, forest managers and private landowners to steward sustainable practices that support suitable habitat. By connecting private and public forest managers with technical and financial resources, we are curtailing the population decline of this species.

Habitat loss also impacts the Golden-winged Warbler’s wintering grounds. Audubon NC is collaborating with our partners to further understand the full life cycle biology of this warbler, including conducting field research in Nicaragua.

Golden-winged Warbler
Priority Birds

Golden-winged Warbler

The rapid decline of the Golden-winged Warbler since the 1980s cannot be explained solely by habitat loss, and that mystery has attracted many scientists to study this beautiful warbler.

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Letting it Grow: How Landowners are Helping Birds by Mowing Less
Forest Legacy Landbird Project - Working Lands

Letting it Grow: How Landowners are Helping Birds by Mowing Less

Allison Bovée and Mary Vogel have changed their landscaping practices at BirdTown Cabins in western North Carolina to create new bird habitat.

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Golden-winged Warbler Tracking Report
Conserve Golden-Wings

Geolocation Tracking Golden-winged Warblers

Geolocation tracking migration routes is essential to the success of the Golden-winged Warbler.

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Neighbors Band Together for Golden-winged Warblers
Conservation

Neighbors Band Together for Golden-winged Warblers

In Mitchell County, landowners are turning a power line right-of-way into prime habitat for a declining warbler.

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Geolocators Flying North and South
Working Lands

Geolocators Flying North and South

Geolocator data will inform our work in Western North Carolina that protects the habitats Golden-winged Warblers need for their survival. Learn more!

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How to Conserve the Golden-winged Warbler
Conserve Golden-Wings

How to Conserve the Golden-winged Warbler

Golden-winged warbler populations are on the decline in the United States. One way that Audubon North Carolina is impacting that decline is through mitigating and reversing habitat loss.

Read more

Private Lands Protection
Landowners Protection - Working Lands

Private Lands Protection

Habitat on private lands plays a critical role in bird conservation in the southeastern U.S.

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Research in North Carolina
Research – Working Lands

Research in North Carolina

Audubon NC is involved in regional and international research in the quest to better understand bird ecology.

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Published Work on Golden-winged Warbler Conservation and Biology
Working Lands

Published Work on Golden-winged Warbler Conservation and Biology

Review recent peer reviewed and thesis papers done by Audubon staff, our academic partners at Appalachian and elsewhere.

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Goats Help Restore Golden-wing Habitat
Forest Management - Working Lands

Goats Help Restore Golden-wing Habitat

Goats will munch the leaves, woody stems, and high vegetative growth that many grazing animals will not. They don’t like to eat grass. This makes them the perfect partner in Golden-winged Warbler habitat management.

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News & Updates

Horses and Flying Logs: Using Old and New Forestry Methods to Improve Bird Habitat
Forestry In Action

Horses and Flying Logs: Using Old and New Forestry Methods to Improve Bird Habitat

Forest Landbird Legacy Program helps Ashe County landowner restore forested property.

Speak Up for Birds on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan
Forestry In Action

Speak Up for Birds on the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan

Audubon asks Forest Service to ensure plan protects birds and provides win-win forestry solutions.

Longtime Audubon volunteer revives his own property for the birds
Forestry In Action

Longtime Audubon volunteer revives his own property for the birds

Lifelong appreciation of wildlife motivates Russ Oates’ conservation efforts on his Yancey County property and as an Audubon volunteer.

WNC Forest Plan 101: What It Means for Birds
Forestry In Action

WNC Forest Plan 101: What It Means for Birds

Audubon, partners watching closely for release of Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest plan revision.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Managing Habitat for Birds
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Managing Habitat for Birds

Plan revisions should prioritize ecological restoration practices that benefit birds.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Protecting Land for Birds
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Protecting Land for Birds

Audubon supports more Wilderness protections in the revised plan, but our highest priority is bird habitat.

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Balancing Birds and Recreation
Forestry In Action

Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Plan: Balancing Birds and Recreation

By identifying places that can handle more recreation, Audubon is ensuring vital bird habitat remains protected.

Empowering Women Landowners for the Birds
Working Lands

Empowering Women Landowners for the Birds

ForestHer NC workshop series reaches out to important but overlooked landowner group.

Audubon, NC DEQ's Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk WNC climate threats
Working Lands

Audubon, DEQ Sec. Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk climate threats in WNC

— More than half of the breeding birds in the state threatened by changes to our climate can be found in western North Carolina.
Learning in the Field
Working Lands

Learning in the Field

Audubon intern Sylvine Hill paddles through a swamp and talks with landowners to learn lessons in conservation

How you can help, right now