Can be found at almost any wooded habitat, and low brushy areas, and in weedy fields. There are two subspecies – Audubon’s (S. c. auduboni) and Myrtle (S. c. coronata) which hybridize. Key features are white wing bars, yellow rump and yellow at sides of breast. The throat color of Audubon’s is yellow and Myrtle is white. Females are duller. The ‘chip’ call note can be heard throughout the winter and is required learning for all serious birders; once learned it becomes easy to locate other warblers simply by listening for a different sounding call note.

Mostly eats insects, but also fruit or nectar.