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

For One Western North Carolina Landowner, Retirement is for the Birds
Working Lands

For One Western North Carolina Landowner, Retirement is for the Birds

Russell Blevins' commitment to habitat management is good news for the Golden-winged Warblers that share his property with him.

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.

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.

Welcoming Golden-winged Warblers to a Working Farm
Conservation

Welcoming Golden-winged Warblers to a Working Farm

The owners of Shady Grove Gardens in Ashe County open their farm to birds and birders every spring.

Steward It and They Will Come
Working Lands

Steward It and They Will Come

The owners of B and L Organic farm carefully steward their land for Golden-winged Warblers and other wildlife.

Baseball for the Birds: A New North Carolina Team Rallies Around an Endangered Species
Working Lands

Baseball for the Birds: A New North Carolina Team Rallies Around an Endangered Species

Inspired by the Red-cockaded Woodpecker's resilience, the Houston Astros affiliate has chosen the bird to be its official mascot.

Priority Bird Profile: Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Working Lands

Priority Bird Profile: Rose-breasted Grosbeak

The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is one of about a dozen “priority species” that the National Audubon Society’s Healthy Forest initiative has chosen to help through active forest protection and management.

Old Homestead Seeds Change
GWWA Conservation - Working Lands

Old Homestead Seeds Change

"Since I’ve owned my property I’ve been looking for ways to benefit wildlife," explains Broadwell. "I want to make it a more interesting and attractive place for myself and the animals that depend on it."

Land Trust Property Certified As Bird-Friendly Habitat
Forest Landbird Legacy Program

Land Trust Property Certified As Bird-Friendly Habitat

Audubon North Carolina is happy to officially recognize the LandTrust for Central NC’s Low Water Bridge property in Montgomery County as a Certified Forest Landbird Legacy Habitat.

Biodiversity Brings New Birds Home
Forest Landbird Legacy Program

Biodiversity Brings New Birds Home

In this series, we profile local landowners to share all the amazing and exciting ways various properties can be enhanced to support struggling populations of priority bird species.

How you can help, right now