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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. XXXV
Field-journal plate: Northern Parula
The Northern Parula plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate XXXV

Northern Parula

Setophaga americana

Parulidae · Taxon 145233

Length4.3–4.7 in (11–12 cm)
Wingspan6.3–7.1 in (16–18 cm)
Weight0.2–0.4 oz (6–11 g)

Field marks

  1. Tiny, compact warbler with a short tail and thin, pointed bill.
  2. Blue-gray head and upperparts with a yellow-green patch centered on the back.
  3. Two crisp white wingbars on dark wings.
  4. Bright yellow throat and upper breast contrasting with a whitish belly.
  5. Pale white eye crescents are conspicuous.
  6. Adult male typically shows a dark and chestnut breast band; females and immature birds are paler and usually lack it.

HabitatMature, humid deciduous or coniferous forest, especially along streams, swamps, and other wet lowlands with hanging mosses or lichens; also uses wooded and scrubby habitats outside the breeding season.

BehaviorActive foliage gleaner; rapidly hops and flits through branches, taking insects and spiders from leaves and twig tips.

Palette

blue-grayyellow-greenbright yellowwhitechestnut-rust