A medium-sized (4 ½ -5 ½ inches) wood warbler, the Palm Warbler in summer is most easily identified by its dark brown back, streaked flanks, and conspicuous rusty crown. Two subspecies exist: an eastern subspecies, which has predominantly yellow underparts; and a western subspecies, which has some white on the breast and yellow elsewhere. Male and female Palm Warblers are similar in all seasons, becoming duller and browner in winter. The Palm Warbler primarily breeds across east-central Canada. Smaller numbers breed south of the United States border in the Upper Midwest and in Maine. In winter, the western subspecies of the Palm Warbler migrates to the U.S.Pacific coast, the coastal southeast, the West Indies, southern Mexico, and Central America, while the eastern subspecies winters along the Gulf Coast from Florida west to Texas. Palm Warblers breed in a variety of dense evergreen habitats, and is particularly attracted to bogs. In winter, this species may be found in semi-open habitats, such as thickets, roadsides, and mangroves. Palm Warblers primarily eat small invertebrates, including insects and spiders, although this species may eat some plant material, particularly fruits and berries, during the winter. In appropriate habitat, Palm Warblers may be observed foraging for insects on the ground or in low branches of shrubs and trees. Birdwatchers may also listen for this species’ song, a high “zhe” note repeated several times in succession. Palm Warblers are primarily active during the day, but, like many migratory songbirds, this species migrates at night.
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Bibliographic Citation: Rumelt, Reid B. Setophaga palmarum. June-July 2012. Brief natural history summary of Setophaga palmarum. Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
