The Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) is a small, short-tailed warbler with a sharply pointed, bicolored bill. Adults are blue-gray above, with a greenish-yellow patch on the back, two white wing bars, white eye-arcs, and a short tail. Underparts are white, with a yellow throat and upper breast. Males have distinctive black and chestnut breast bands, while females and immature birds are plainer. In Central Texas, Northern Parulas are present from early spring through summer, breeding in mature riparian forests near water where Spanish moss or similar vegetation is available. Migrants begin arriving as early as February 21, with peak numbers from mid-March to mid-May. Breeding activity continues through July. Southbound migration occurs from late June to the end of November, peaking between mid-August and late October. During migration, these warblers often forage in the lower canopy, making them more visible. Their buzzy, rising trill and brief chip calls can be heard in wooded habitats throughout this period. Although not known to visit feeders, they may pass through backyards with native trees and shrubs during migration.
Northern Parulas breed in mature forests where epiphytes are present, especially Spanish moss in the Southeast and old man’s beard in the Northeast. Nesting begins in March in the southern part of the range and May in the north. The species prefers nest sites suspended over water, usually in hanging vegetation clumps. The female builds the nest by hollowing out a cavity and lining it with moss, hair, grass, or pine needles.The incubation period is 12–14 days and fledging happens after 10–11 days. Southern populations may raise two broods per season; northern populations usually raise one. Breeding maturity is reached by the following year, and while the species is largely monogamous, some cases of polygamy have been recorded.
This warbler forages primarily for terrestrial invertebrates such as caterpillars, spiders, beetles, aphids, flies, and ants. Caterpillars and spiders are key food items year-round. In winter, Northern Parulas supplement their insect diet with berries, seeds, and nectar. Their main foraging strategy is hover-gleaning, plucking prey from vegetation, but they also sally for insects in mid-air or hang upside down to reach food. Foraging occurs mostly in the mid to upper canopy but sometimes near or on the ground. Their reliance on epiphytes for nesting and foraging makes them particularly sensitive to air pollution, which damages the plants they depend on for habitat.
Two vocal populations are recognized, separated by a rough line from Ontario to Alabama. While it’s speculated that each population follows distinct migratory paths—eastern birds wintering in the Caribbean and western birds heading to Mexico and Central America—this remains unconfirmed due to limited data. The Type A song is a fast, rising trill with an emphasized final note, while Type B may resemble the cerulean or blue-winged warbler songs. The call is a sweet chip. Vocal patterns are important for identifying this species and distinguishing it from similar warblers like the cerulean, yellow-throated, or blue-winged warblers.
The overall range of the Northern Parula extends from eastern Manitoba through the Gulf Coast and parts of the Maritime Provinces, though a gap exists in parts of the northeastern U.S. due to habitat loss. Wintering grounds include the Gulf Coast from southern Tamaulipas through Honduras, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and parts of Pacific Mexico. The species has even been documented breeding in coastal California.
Compiled by Lindsey Hernandez
Sources: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Texas Breeding Bird Atlas and the National Audubon Society
