ID Keys: Blueish-gray upperparts, light underparts with yellow on
throat and upper chest, white wing-bars, broken white eye-ring.
The Northern Parula is another bird species which is often
easier to hear than to see, as they prefer to nest in areas with dense hanging
Spanish Moss or other lichens. The task is made more difficult because of their
tendency to forage in dense treetop foliage. Normally a bird of the
eastern part of the United States, strays often make it all the way to the West
Coast during migration.
Habitat
Prefers to nest in humid coniferous and deciduous forests, especially those that have an abundance of Spanish Moss or other tree lichens or are in and around swamps, rivers, and lakes. They can be found in nearly any kind of forest and woodland habitat during migration and in winter.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and spiders. Will also occasionally feed on berries .
Behavior
Moves deliberately through the foliage, gleaning insects from leaves and twigs, occasionally flying out to capture an insect flying by or an insect spotted on the ground.
Breeding
Non-breeder in South Dakota.
Song
A thin buzz that rises and the sharply drops at the end. Click here to listen to the Northern Parula's song.
Migration
Summers throughout much of the Eastern United States up through southeastern Canada. Winters in the tropics.
Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Northern Parula sightings
