The extensive fine black streaking on the underparts and the yellow neck patch are diagnostic. It also has a brighter yellow rump and a thicker bill. Palm Warblers are somewhat similar but consistently wag their tails and have yellow undertail coverts. Open black spruce forests, fir trees, open woodlands. In migration, pine forests, mixed forests, shrubs of parks, towns.
Mating system is monogamous.
Courting male flies with rigid wings above female. Female believed to build nest. Six to seven creamy white eggs, heavily marked with reddish-browns, mostly at large end. Female believed to incubate. Both sexes believed to tend young.