Following its review of an Endangered Species Act petition to delist the golden-cheeked warbler, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that the petition presents substantial information indicating that a change in status may be warranted. This 90-day finding does not trigger a change in the current endangered species status of the golden-cheeked warbler; rather, it initiates a more thorough review of all the biological information available for the species.
The golden-cheeked warbler is a migratory bird that breeds exclusively in the oak-juniper forests of central Texas, using the shredding bark of juniper trees as nesting material. The songbird winters in the pine-oak forests of Central and South America. When the golden-cheeked warbler was federally listed in 1990, the Service identified habitat loss and degradation as major threats to the bird, which continue to negatively impact the species today.
In 2021, the Service initiated a species status assessment for the golden-cheeked warbler to inform a five-year review for the species. A species status assessment is a focused and rigorous scientific assessment that provides a single source of information for all ESA decisions. Five-year reviews are routinely completed for listed species to assess the species’ conservation status and recovery progress. The most recent five-year status review of the golden-cheeked warbler, published on Jan. 7, 2025, recommends downlisting the species from endangered to threatened under the ESA. The species’ five-year review was prepared prior to the 90-day finding and was a distinct and separate recovery action planned for this species.
The Service is seeking information from the public regarding any new scientific or commercial data concerning the status of, or threats to, the golden-cheeked warbler. This information will be used to evaluate the status of the species and inform any future ESA decisions regarding the status and recovery of the golden-cheeked warbler. The 90-day finding and details on how to submit information can be found on www.regulations.gov by searching under docket number FWS-R2-ES-2024-0179.
The Service is committed to transparency in decision-making and setting high standards to ensure that ESA findings are science-driven. For more information about the 90-day finding of the golden-cheeked warbler, visit the frequently asked questions and the golden-cheeked warbler’s webpage.
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