GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER Dendroica chrysoparia (Schlater and Salvin) 



Order: PASSERIFORMES Family: PARULIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Smaller than sparrow . Male with bright yellow cheeks 

 and with black throat, back and line through the eyes. Female similar but back olive. 



Present distribution : Breeds only in mature growth "cedar breaks" of the Edwards 

 Plateau of central Texas; also northeast to Dallas and Palo Pinto counties. Exact winter 

 range unknown. A few observations in winter in the highlands of Guatemala, Nicaragua, 

 and Honduras (Pulich 1962 and 1969); also Tamaulipas , Mexico (Evenden 1965). 



Former distribution : Same as present. 



Status: Vulnerable because of very specialized and restricted habitat, although common 

 in such areas of mature cedar (Juniperus ashei ) 25-40 feet high. Loss of this type of 

 habitat has resulted in disappearance of the species in many places . Current trends in 

 brush removal and urbanization in breeding areas, if accelerated could jeopardize the 

 species in a short time . 



Estimated numbers : Pulich (1969) estimated about 15,000 to 17,000 in total population. 



Breeding rate in the wild : One set of 3 to 5 eggs per year . 



Reasons for decline : Removal of mature stands of Ashe juniper for brush eradication to 

 increase growth of grass and expansion of urbanization into the limited nesting range of 

 the species . 



Protective measures already taken : Strictly protected by Federal law . Court ruling to 

 protect one breeding area from development as a golf course . 



Measures proposed : Preservation of mature stands of Juniperus ashei through acquisition 

 or lease of land. Further study of wintering areas to determine exact range and any limiting 

 factors that may exist there . Eliminate brush clearing in key habitats . 



Number in captivity : None . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Poor . 



References : 



Evenden, F. (in li« • 1965) 



Pulich, W. M. 1962. In quest of the golden-cheeked warbler--some preliminary 



findings. Newsletter of the Texas Ornithological Society. 10: 5-11. 

 . 1969. Golden-cheeked warbler: threatened bird of the cedar 



Brakes. National Parks Mag. March 1969, 10-12. 



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