In springtime, this delightful small wood warbler can be seen actively moving in upper tree branches seeking insects. The Northern Parula, about the size of a kinglet, is one of those wee birds. This multicolored delicate bird likes moist deciduous evergreen or mixed woods. It can be found near any body of water and beard or Spanish moss is necessary for nesting. Spanish moss will be found in the forests of the South, while beard moss grows in the northern areas.
This is usually a mid- to upper-story canopy bird that hovers for insects, but usually remains out of sight. It is similar to a chickadee clinging to branches upside down. They are actually quite friendly and tame when encountered.
Northern Parula
South Padre Island Convention Center, 2014
A breeder of the east, Northern Parula families are readily found in eastern Oklahoma. The female is a pendulum nest builder in their favored moss of the region. Sometimes clumps of vegetation and tangled vines are used for nest building. At times the female will build a concealing veil above and around the nest, so it might only be visible from under it. It takes about four days to build. Though she is the sole incubator, she leaves the nest quite often to forage. Both sexes feed the young, but the greater share is done by the female.
The original name for the Northern Parula was the Finch Creeper. The species is known to hybridize with the Yellow-throated Warbler, and the offspring are called Sutton's Warbler. They are extremely rare
One of the earliest spring migrants for warblers, this New World Warbler is found on the breeding grounds in April or May, with fall migration from September through mid-October.
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