How Do You Identify North American Warblers?
Warblers are small, active birds about 4 to 5 inches long that may go unnoticed, even by experienced bird watchers, as they often hide in dense foliage and woods. There is a wide variety with more than 50 species of these birds in North America. The males are mostly brightly patterned, but the females may be duller in appearance. Warblers migrate to warm climates in the winter, with some birds migrating to Mexico and others to South America. Their short bills make them excellent insect-catchers. Note the color of the bird. The yellow warbler has a plain, yellow face, which makes its dark eye conspicuous. The parula is blueish-black. The yellow-rumped warbler is brown or blue-black with bright yellow patches on its rump and at the side of its chest. The brown ground warblers are dull-colored. Hear the song. The Tennessee warbler has a loud, sharp, staccato call. The parula’s song is a buzz with a snap at the end of the call. The song of the vireo is repetitive. Observe the birds that li
