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

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.

Foresters Gather for Training to Learn Bird-Friendly Techniques
Forestry Trainings

Foresters Gather for Training to Learn Bird-Friendly Techniques

At our highly successful “Foresters for the Birds” workshop, foresters received hands-on training to help them achieve forest health while also benefitting birds!

Local Farmers Use Horses to Restore GWWA Habitat
GWWA Conservation - Working Lands

Local Farmers Use Horses to Restore GWWA Habitat

Allie and Louis employed tree removal using horses, and created gaps in the forest canopy, to encourage continued growth of the vegetation cover GWWAs need to breed.

Surveying the Presence of the Declining Golden-winged Warbler
GWWA Conservation - Working Lands

Surveying the Presence of the Declining Golden-winged Warbler

A secretive bird, Golden-winged Warblers tend to go undetected in standard point count surveys, so we use a method that can detect their presence more accurately.

OWASA Recognized for Bird-friendly Forestry Plan
Forest Landbird Legacy Program

OWASA Recognized for Bird-friendly Forestry Plan

Audubon North Carolina and Orange Water and Sewer Authority encourage bird-friendly management practices in Cane Creek Reservoir.

Highland Biological Students Focus on Golden-wings
Working Lands

Highland Biological Students Focus on Golden-wings

Budding young scientists are working to protect the Golden-winged Warblers we love.

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.

Audubon North Carolina Hosts Yale University’s Sustainable Family Forest Initiative Trainers for Two-Day Workshop
Working Lands

Audubon North Carolina Hosts Yale University’s Sustainable Family Forest Initiative Trainers for Two-Day Workshop

Yale University's Sustaining Family Forests Initiative strategizes on how to connect with forestland owners during conference.

How you can help, right now