The Kentucky Warbler has yellow underparts from the throat to the belly, but tinged with gray on the sides. The back is olive-brown as is the crown of the head, although the crown is slightly darker. Under the eye is a triangular black patch.
Wing bars are absent.
The female is similar to the male, but the black patch beneath the eye is not as well formed. The Kentucky Warbler might be mistaken for a Common Yellowthroat . The yellow glasses effect of the Kentucky Warbler is absent in the Common Yellowthroat and is replaced with a triangular black mask encompasing all of eye and edged with white above. The Kentucky Warbler is usually found in wet woods with thick undergrowth or the undergrowth of ravines. The Kentucky Warbler forages in the thick undergrowth of ravines and woods with lots of undergrowth and is seldom seen.