palm warbler

1. Bird Name:
The bird being profiled is the Palm Warbler. The scientific or Latin name is Setophaga palmarum.

2. Appearance:
The Palm Warbler is a small, cute bird with a striking appearance. It has two main color morphs – yellow and brown. The yellow morph palm warblers have distinctive olive-brown upper parts, bright yellow underparts, streaking on the sides, and a rufous cap. The brown morph is duller with an entirely brownish-grey plumage. They have thin, sharp beaks and brown eyes. One distinctive feature is their constant tail bobbing behavior. There’s minimal difference between males and females, although males can be slightly brighter.

3. Size:
Palm Warblers are typically small, with an average length of about 5.1 to 5.9 inches. They have a wingspan ranging from 7.9 to 8.7 inches. Their weight ranges from 7 to 14 grams which is roughly equivalent to 0.25 – 0.49 oz.

4. Habitat & Distribution:
Their geographical reach includes North America and the Caribbean. During breeding season, they occupy the far northern parts of North America whereas in winter, they migrate to the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and Central America. They usually prefer open habitats like marshes, weedy fields, and less frequently forest edges.

5. Interesting Facts:
Of fascination is the Palm Warbler’s extensive migration route – one of the longest of any warblers. They annually travel from northern Canada to the Caribbean. Despite their name, Palm Warblers spend little time in actual palm trees, a name derived from their discovery on Hispaniola’s palm-rich island. Unlike most warblers seen in North America, palm warblers often forage on the ground.

6. Diet:
The diet of the Palm Warbler primarily includes insects and seeds. They feed on beetles, spiders, caterpillars during summer and switch to seeds, grass, grains and some fruit during the colder months.

7. Behavior & Sounds:
Palm Warblers use their tail as a signaling device, their tail-bobbing is characteristic and happens even when the birds are perched. Their song is a monotonous trill, while their call is a sharp ‘tsik’ sound. Their flight is fluttering and bouncy.

8. Conservation Status:
As per the IUCN Red List, the Palm Warbler is of ‘Least Concern.’ Although they face threats like habitat loss in their wintering grounds, their population is considered stable.

9. Lifespan:
The average lifespan of Palm Warblers is not well documented, but similar species average 2-3 years in the wild. However, longer lifespans have been recorded, the oldest known Palm Warbler lived to be at least 5 years.

10. Additional Notes:
Known locally as “Mariposa palmera” in Spanish and “Paruline des palmiers” in French, Palm Warblers have proven to be well adaptive in different environments. Despite their preference for open lands, they are often seen in urban parks and gardens and seem to pay little heed to human activities. In their ecosystem, they play vital roles such as pest control due to their insectivorous diet. Plus, they contribute to seed dispersal. The watchful birder will be rewarded during the spring and fall migration, as Palm Warblers are easily observed due to their unique tail-bobbing behavior and terrestrial foraging habits.