During the nesting period, males of a mottled-chested forest songter have a black cap, white chest with black stripes, white plumage of the head and brown plumage of the top with brown stripes. There are two white stripes on the wings. Females have a similar less bright plumage, however, the crown and face are grayish. Outside the nesting period, the plumage of the upper side is greenish with dark stripes, the head is greenish, and the chest area is yellowish. Strips on the wings are missing.
Nesting areas are in northern North America (Alaska, Northern Canada, Great Lakes and New England). They spend the winter in South America. As a very rare guest, he can also be found in Western Europe.
