Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

Compiled by Liam Molina

The Northern Parula is a small warbler, and can be difficult to spot as it tends to perch at treetops. Looking for them will definitely give you the aptly named “warbler neck.” While you may not see them, it’d be hard to miss the males’ buzzy songs that they chirp consistently throughout Spring and early-Summer. These birds are mostly blue-ish gray, with bright yellow plumage on their throat and chest. Males have a chestnut colored breastband, almost appearing like the collar of a shirt between their chest and head. 

These birds are found throughout the central and eastern United States and visit parts of Central America and the Caribbean islands while not breeding. Regardless of where they are, these birds are strongly drawn to moss, building their nests in Spanish moss in Southern regions and beard moss in the north. These nests are incredibly well hidden, only easily spotted if observing the bird fly to and fro. As these birds spend most of their time in the forest canopy, moss provides them a safe, suspended habitat/nesting area.

Northern Parula’s forage for food by hopping around the forest canopy, only foraging in the understory during migratory periods. While hunting, they flutter around branches and quickly pluck insects as they emerge. They also can often be observed hanging upside down on branches while feeding. These birds are not the type to visit bird-feeders, but cultivating native trees and shrubbery in your backyard will prove invaluable during their migration period. To find Travis Audubon’s Central Texas Plants for Birds Guide, click here. 

Sources: Allaboutbirds.org, Audubon.org, Ebird.org

Photos: Sandra Rothenburg, Arni Stinnissen, Darla J. Oathout, Melanie Palik