Continentally widespread during the year. Summer and nesting seen in western US and most all of Canada and Alaska. During winter, the bird is seen in the deep south, all of Florida and most of Texas. Seen year round on the west coast and the rest of the continent during migration.

Found in thickets, especially riparian. Tends to be quite and unobtrusive but often give a high faint call when foraging.

Small, slim bird with a sharply pointed bill, grayish to olive-green upper body, paler under body and warmly yellow under the tail. Faint breast streaks. Thin white or yellow stripe above eye and blackish line through the eye with broken white eye ring. Orange crown is rarely seen but may be visible when bird is excited or agitated.

Leaving the state park and driving to the refuge, I begin taking photos of many birds that I have never seen before.