It is migratory, wintering in the southeastern United States, eastern Central America, and the Caribbean.

The summer male myrtle warbler has a slate blue back, and yellow crown, rump and flank patch.

The myrtle can be distinguished from the similar Audubon's warbler by its whitish eyestripe, white (not yellow) throat, and contrasting cheek patch.

Their trill-like songs, nearly indistinguishable, consist of a three or four syllable "tyew-tyew-tyew-tyew", sometimes followed by three more "tew"s. The call is a hard check.

Experienced birders recognize myrtle warblers with the naked eye by their flycatcher-like habit of making short flights from their perch in search of bugs.