Wood Warblers
Birds in the Parulidae family are characterized by their pointed wings and flattened slender, pointed beaks. They are typically brown or gray in color and sometimes have red, blue, black, white, or yellow patches. They eat insects, fruits, seeds, and berries. They spend most of their time in trees and can be found in forests. There are about 114 species in this family found in North and South America.
Included below are the American Redstart, the Northern Parula, and the Yellow-breasted Chat.
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla
“Plate 40.” John James Audubon (1785-1851). Birds of America. Credit: National Audubon Society.
Habitat: Second-growth woods, river groves.
Preferred Food: Mostly insects. Also eats some seeds and berries.
Fun Fact: American Redstarts startled their prey by flashing the bright orange feathers on their tails. Despite their name, American Redstarts are unrelated to Old World (True) redstarts.
American Redstart Range Map
Northern Parula
Setophaga americana
“Plate 15.” John James Audubon (1785-1851). Birds of America. Credit: National Audubon Society.
Habitat: Prefers humid deciduous or coniferous forests where mosses and lichens are found.
Preferred Food: Mostly insects. Also eats some small berries.
Fun Fact: Male parulas take more responsibility in feeding their young than females do, though both have some responsibility.
Northern Parula Range Map
Yellow-breasted Chat
Icteria virens
“Plate 137.” John James Audubon (1785-1851). Birds of America. Credit: National Audubon Society.
Habitat: Brushy tangles, briars, stream thickets.
Preferred Food: Insects and berries.
Fun Fact: Though ornithologists considered Yellow-breasted Chats to be part of the warbler family, they aren’t entirely sure how closely related they are, so these birds are often classified as their own unique family.
