Setophaga americana
male
The Northern Parula is a colorful and well-marked wood warbler. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have mainly blue upperparts with a greenish patch on the back, and two white wingbars. The face has a broken white eyering. Below the yellow throat is a blue and orange breast band; the rest of the underparts grade from yellow to white on the undertail. Adult females are similar to an adult male but less colorful and without a breast band. Immatures are similar to an adult female but duller still.
The Northern Parula is present as a breeding species in much of eastern North America mainly from April to August. It spends the rest of the year in Central America. It is an extremely active species that often forages high in the treetops as well as among lichens and mosses growing epiphytically on tree branches.
female
FACT FILE
LENGTH 4.5 in (11.5 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Deciduous and mixed forest
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a squeaky trill that rises in tone. Call is a sharp tzip
