Description

As the name implies, this species has chestnut-coloured sides, a streaked back, yellow wingbars and crown and black eyeline. The female plumage exhibits reduced amount of chestnut in the flank and the black in the face is paler. The black in the face of the spring birds is absent in fall birds, including hatching year birds. The crown and back are green and the face takes on a grey quality in fall birds.

The Chestnut-sided Warbler typically breeds in dry second growth areas such as deciduous brush and thickets and young growth aspen forests with an understorey.

The song of the Chestnut-sided is similar to that of the Yellow Warbler, but distinguishes itself with its slurred series of whistles as represented by "zee zee zee meet-meet-ya" sounding very much like "very very very pleased-to-meet-you." The habitats for the Yellow and Chestnut-sided are also different, which should eliminate any confusion.

Golden-winged Warbler and fall female Chestnut-sided Warblers are similar to the Bay-breasted Warbler and Blackpoll Warbler.

This species has the habit of holding its tail slightly elevated, often with its wings slightly drooped to the sides and, if observed closely, this species can be seen to frequently flick its tail. The feeding habits of the Chestnut-sided are very interesting, as it tends to forage for insects on the undersides of leaves and branches of trees.
As humans cleared forests and expanded north, the Chestnut-sided Warbler has followed and flourished.

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