Golden-crowned Warbler vs Three-striped Warbler: How to Tell Them Apart

Golden-crowned Warbler

Basileuterus culicivorus

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The golden-crowned warbler is 12.0–13.5 cm (4.7–5.3 in) in overall length. It has grey-green upperparts and bright yellow underparts. The head is grey with a black-bordered yellow crown stripe, a yellow or white supercilium and a black eyestripe. Sexes are similar, but the immature golden-crowned warbler is duller, browner and lacks the head pattern other than the eyestripe. The subspecies fall into four groups.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Rosa Elena Albornoz · Song · Cecilio Acosta (near Caracas), Guaicaipuro, Miranda, Venezuela · CC0

Photo: Fornés Sebastián Fornés · CC BY 4.0

Three-striped Warbler

Basileuterus tristriatus

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The three-striped warbler measures 13 cm (5.1 in) in length. It is mostly olive-brown with a buffy belly and underparts. It has distinct black and white striping on the head and a dark cheek. Male and female three-striped warblers have similar plumages. Their song is a rapid series of squeaky chirps.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Song · Zamora-Chinchipe: Filo de Chumbiriatza, tepui 4.5 km SW Las Orchideas, above "Cabañas Yankuam", Nangaritza Valley, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Alina Martin · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

Colombia Venezuela Bolivia

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Golden-crowned Warbler and Three-striped Warbler.