Family: Parulidae, Wood Warblers view all from this family

Description 4 1/2-5" (11-13 cm). Head striped black and white; black bib on throat; white below, with black stripes on sides; gray back, with black striping; 2 white wing bars and white outer tail feathers. Yellow spot between bill and eyes. Winter male, female, and juvenile lack black bib.

Habitat Shrubby openings in coniferous forest or mixed woods, dry scrub oak, pinyon and juniper, chaparral, and other low brushy areas; also in forests.

Nesting 3-5 creamy white eggs, splashed with brown, in a tightly woven plant-fiber cup in a bush or tree, usually not higher than 10' (3 m).

Range Breeds from southern British Columbia (except Vancouver Island), Washington, Idaho, and Colorado southward. Winters in Southwest and in Mexico.

Voice   Song a series of buzzes, rising in pitch and intensity, then falling: zee zee zee zee bzz bzz. Call is a dull tup.

Discussion This bird resembles Townsend's Warbler in every respect except that it lacks the green and yellow colors of the latter. Whereas the bright plumage of Townsend's blends well with the bright green of the spruces and pines of the coastal forest, the drab appearance of the Black-throated Gray is a good adaptation to the bluish gray-green of western junipers.