Blue-winged Warbler
Vermivora cyanoptera
The Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora cyanoptera) is a common new world warbler found in 28 countries, weighing about 9 g. The blue-winged warbler is a fairly common migratory New World warbler, 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long and weighing 8.5 g (0.30 oz).










About the Blue-winged Warbler
The blue-winged warbler is a fairly common migratory New World warbler, 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long and weighing 8.5 g (0.30 oz). It breeds in eastern North America in southern Ontario and the eastern United States and winters in southern Central America. Its breeding range is extending northwards, where it is replacing the very closely related golden-winged warbler.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The blue-winged warbler is a small warbler at 11.4–12.7 cm (4.5–5.0 in) long, with a wingspan of 17–19.5 cm (6.7–7.7 in). The breeding plumage of the male consists of a bright yellow head, breast and underparts. There is no streaking of the underparts of the bird. It has a narrow black line though the eyes and light blueish gray with two white wing-bars, which are diagnostic field marks. The blue winged warblers are generally small in size with a well-proportioned body, and heavy pointed bill. They roughly measure 4.3 to 4.7 inches long with a wingspan of around 5.9 inches.
What the Blue-winged Warbler sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Haiti, St. Barthélemy, St. Martin, St. Pierre & Miquelon.
When to see it
Best months: April, May, June, August, September, with peak activity in May. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Blue-winged Warbler?
- The blue-winged warbler is a small warbler at 11.4–12.7 cm (4.5–5.0 in) long, with a wingspan of 17–19.5 cm (6.7–7.7 in). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Blue-winged Warbler?
- The Blue-winged Warbler is a tiny sized bird weighing about 9 g.
- Where can you see a Blue-winged Warbler?
- The Blue-winged Warbler occurs in 28 countries, including the United States, Canada, Belize, Mexico and Guatemala.
- What does a Blue-winged Warbler sound like?
- You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Blue-winged Warbler on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Blue-winged Warbler?
- The Blue-winged Warbler is most easily confused with the Golden-winged Warbler.
- Is the Blue-winged Warbler endangered?
- The Blue-winged Warbler is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Blue-winged Warbler for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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