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.

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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

Forestry for the Birds
Forestry Trainings

Upcoming Events: Forestry for the Birds

Foresters, landowners, natural resources professionals and more are invited to attend our bird-friendly forestry trainings!

FAQs: Forest Management for Birds
Working Lands

FAQ: Forest Management Through Working Lands

FAQs for managing and improving your land to benefit birds.

Readying for Winter at Cane Creek Reservoir
Working Lands

Readying for Winter at Cane Creek Reservoir

Audubon North Carolina biologist Aimee Tomcho joined the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for Orange Water And Sewer Authority’s Community Open House at the Cane Creek Reservoir.

Restoring 200 Acres for Golden-winged Warblers
Forest Landbird Legacy Program

Restoring 200 Acres for Golden-winged Warblers

A 50 acre restoration project by these landowners could mean 10 new Golden-winged Warbler territories (and possibly 10 new nests annually!)

Help Golden-winged Warblers Win Farm Bill Funding
GWWA 101 - Working Lands

Help Golden-winged Warblers Win Farm Bill Funding

Want to help us find new GWWA locations and (hopefully) access more Farm Bill funding? Sign up to volunteer!

Small Changes in Forests Are Big for Birds
Working Lands

Small Changes in Hardwood Forests Are Big for Birds

55 species were surveyed at this bird conservation partnership site, including a priority species-- the Wood Thrush!

Lighting Fires for Birds and Land in North Carolina
Working Lands

Lighting Fires for Birds and Land in North Carolina

Fire has been used in a variety of ways throughout human history to benefit people-- we're using it to give life back to forests and birds.

Will 2018 Farm Bill Funding Continue to Benefit Golden-winged Warblers?
Working Lands

Will 2018 Farm Bill Funding Continue to Benefit Golden-winged Warblers?

Farm Bill-funded projects focus on declining species that can benefit from conservation on private lands.

The Sweet Smell of a Successful Forestry Project
GWWA Conservation - Working Lands

The Sweet Smell of a Successful Forestry Project

Nothing is wasted at this former Christmas-tree farm site, where Golden-winged Warblers are now breeding and an essential-oils company is brewing a Fraser Fir aromatic.

Survey finds diverse species at bird-friendly forestry site
Forest Landbird Legacy Program

Survey finds diverse species at bird-friendly forestry site

Climate-threatened birds and more were discovered at the Cherokee Scout Reservation this year.

How you can help, right now