The Northern Parula is a tiny warbler with a blue-gray back, yellow-green patch on the back, and a yellow throat banded by rufous and black in males. Its ascending, buzzy trill ends with an abrupt zip — one of the more distinctive warbler songs. In the Southeast it traditionally nests in hanging Spanish moss; in the North it uses old-man's-beard lichen.
Best time to see a Northern Parula
The best time to see a Northern Parula is March–June, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,893 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Northern Parula? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Northern Parula sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Northern Parula?
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.