Warblers are insect eating birds typically associated with the warmer seasons of spring, summer and fall. The term "Winter Warblers" refers to four species that choose to spend their winters in Nova Scotia. Those species are the Yellow-rumped Warbler, the Pine Warbler, the Orange-crowned Warbler and the Yellow-breasted Chat. Occasionally other species of warblers are sighted in the province during the winter but are not seen consistently enough to be considered one of the winter warblers.

With the exception of the Yellow-breasted Chat, all warblers can be recognized as warblers by their small size (Chickadee-sized or smaller) and their short, thin bills. The Yellow-rumped Warbler is our most common species of warbler in the province and is the only species that can be seen in Nova Scotia during every month of the year. Yellow-rumps are at their lowest numbers during the winter, but are still our most common winter warbler. Flocks consisting of 10 to 20 birds can be seen each winter but the typical sized flock is made up of two to three birds. In their winter plumage, Yellow-rumped Warblers are streaked and mostly brown, resembling a sparrow except for the bill. Their strongest identification mark is a bright yellow patch that is located on the back, just above where the tail attaches. This patch is called the rump and is the source of the bird's name.

The Pine Warbler is plain green above, has two white wing bars and is bright yellow below. The amount of yellow is variable and may be restricted to just the throat or extend almost all the way to its white belly. In most cases the bright yellow covers all of the throat and the upper part of the chest.

Do not expect to see the orange crown of the Orange-crowned Warbler as it is rarely seen. In fact, it is the lack of any distinctive field marks that helps birders to identify this species. The Orange-crowned is our only small, plump-looking, mostly green bird with a warbler bill.

The Yellow-breasted Chat is our only warbler bigger than a sparrow. It is green above, has a very bright yellow throat and chest and a long tail. It is a solitary species that lives in berry bushes, and is most often reported from the southern part of the province. Orange-crowned and Pine Warblers may be solitary, but they also travel with Chickadees.