Golden-winged Warbler

Status Rare vagrant. The first record was of a male caught in an outbuilding on Bon Portage Island by Evelyn and Morrill Richardson on 17 May 1961. It was readily identified in the hand and subsequently banded and released. Since then, there have been 10 records. Among them, only two have been in spring, on 23 May 1970 and 26 May 1983, both on Seal Island. The rest have occurred between 25 August and 16 October: four on Seal Island, two on Brier Island and a bird each near Broad Cove, Lunenburg County, and in the City of Halifax.

Remarks Somewhat rarer here than its close relative, the Blue-winged Warbler, this species is suffering a population decline in its breeding range in the northeastern and mid-western United States, where it is to some extent being replaced by the Blue-winged Warbler. When it does occur, its yellow wing patch (or bars), yellow cap, and dark eye mask and throat are virtually unmistakable.