New World Warblers and Wood Warblers: Family Parulidae

The Parulid family is group of small, insectivorous birds native to the New World. Many of these species can be very colorful, while others can be rather drab. Some species migrate in the winter, while others stay close to their breeding grounds. Most species are arboreal, living up high in the trees, where they build their nests and feed on grubs, caterpillars, and other insects. While their humble colors and small size may leave these birds unnoticed, the woods just wouldn't be the same without their beautiful song and their ability to get rid of mosquitos!

Modified Movements and Mistimed Migratory Madness

Many North American species of parulids migrate, following their food sources south in the winter, and returning to their northern breeding grounds in the spring and summer. There are several cues which tell these birds its time to move on. Some species depend on the length of the day to tell them when to migrate. When the days get shorter they move south, and when the days get longer, they move north. Other species depend on the temperature to tell them when to migrate. When it gets cooler, they move south, when it gets warmer, they move north. Their timing is very important, because if they misjudge when to move they may not have the food to survive when they arrive at their desination.

Recently, scientists have studied the effects of global climate change on their migratory pattern and found that these birds may have 20 fewer days to make their journey. Not only do they have fewer days, but species that migrate north with warmer temperatures may be arriving too early to catch their seasonal bug-load! It may be warmer earlier, but the insects they depend on for food don't start breeding until later. This is one buffet where it doesn't pay to be an early bird!

Taxonomy

North American Warblers and Wood Warblers are a member of a group of birds known as the Nine-Primaried Oscines, which have nine primary flight feathers on their wings, as opposed to other passerines, which have ten. Other members of this clade include true Finches, American Sparrows, Icterids, Cardinals, Olive Warblers, Hawaiian Honey Creepers and Tanagers. The nine primaried oscines most likely evolved in South America not too long ago and diversified and radiated very quickly after that. Because the nine primaried oscines are a group of new-comers to the bird world, their taxonomy can get a little tricky. The relationships between all the birds in this big clade are constantly being tweaked by scientists, and many of these families are being shuffled around. The Parulids currently have 19 genera, having recently lost 6. Genera include:

Genus Vermivora
Genus Oreothlypis
Genus Parula
Genus Dendroica
Genus Catharopeza
Genus Mniotilta
Genus Setophaga
Genus Protonotaria
Genus Helmitheros
Genus Limnothlypis
Genus Seiurus
Genus Parkesia
Genus Oporornis
Genus Geothlypis
Genus Microligea
Genus Teretistris
Genus Leucopeza
Genus Wilsonia
Genus Cardellina
Genus Ergaticus
Genus Myioborus
Genus Euthlypis
Genus Basileuterus
Genus Phaeothlypis
Genus Zeledonia
Genus Icteria
Genus Granatellus
Genus Xenoligea