Unlimited edition. 18 x 24 inch, museum-quality poster on matte paper.

The golden-cheeked warbler only breeds in Texas Hill Country, where it arrives each spring from its wintering grounds in Mexico. Because the warbler’s breeding range is *entirely* in Texas, it’s a source of regional pride among bird nerds, and there are some who voice support for the golden-cheeked warbler supplanting the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) as Texas’ avian representative.

Unfortunately, this striking warbler species is endangered, in part because its range is so small and its habits so specialized. Although its breeding range in Texas is estimated to be almost 26,000 square miles, the warbler needs a specific mix of trees to successfully breed, and just 4% of that breeding area is deemed suitable. To build its nest, it strips bark from Ashe juniper trees, but it also relies on oak and other deciduous species to forage insects. In the late 1800s, biologists were already expressing concern about the rate at which mature juniper-oak woodlands were disappearing due to development. That trend hasn’t exactly slowed; the Austin metro population has grown by 1,500% since the mid-20th century! Compounding the threat of habitat loss is brood parasitism; brown-headed cowbirds often target golden-cheeked warbler nests. (You can read more about brood parasitism and cowbirds by visiting the brown-headed cowbird Field Guide poster).

But it’s not all bad news. A peer-reviewed, 2012 survey of the warbler’s population estimated there were 263,000 male golden-cheeked warblers active in Texas; that’s almost 10 times the long-standing federal estimate of 27,000! The finding was not without controversy, however. Many pointed to it as evidence that the species has “recovered” and should therefore be removed from the endangered species list so that development can be fast-tracked in Texas, where there’s enormous demand for new housing. The US Fish & Wildlife service and ornithologists argue that the original estimate was simply incorrect (a result of dated and inexact surveying technology/methodology), and therefore we can’t make conclusions about the species’ population trend, so we should maintain the status quo until research supports delisting. Some biologists say, ultimately, the listing status is beside the point; instead of arguing about population trends, our energy should be directed toward ensuring the future of viable warbler habitat in Texas.

Note: These archival poster prints feature rich, appealing colors. I encourage customers to take care in handling them until they are framed/protected for display; the darker colors on the matte paper can be scratched. They ship rolled, so customers need to flatten them before framing (or have their framer do so).

Charitable Sales Model: Whenever one of these poster prints is purchased, a charitable contribution equal to 10% of the print’s cost (or $3.60) is made to a nonprofit working to tackle environmental or social challenges. Read more about my charitable sales model here.