Species BirdsPalm Warbler

Palm Warbler

Setophaga palmarum

CommonBird
Illustration of Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)

The Palm Warbler is one of the most terrestrial of wood-warblers, often seen walking along the ground and bobbing its tail up and down. It breeds in open, boggy areas in the boreal zone, often far from palms, and winters in the southeastern US and Caribbean, where it does frequent palm groves. Its rusty cap and yellow under-tail coverts are the best field marks.

Habitat
Boggy spruce forests in summer; open fields and beaches in winter
Diet
Ground insects, berries, and seeds
How common
Common

Best time to see a Palm Warbler

The best time to see a Palm Warbler is September–February, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 43,538 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Palm Warbler? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Palm Warbler sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Palm Warbler? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Palm Warbler is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love birds? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More birds

Parasitic Jaeger
Parasitic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticus
Pectoral Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
Peregrine Falcon
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
Pied-billed Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe
Podilymbus podiceps
Pigeon Guillemot
Pigeon Guillemot
Cepphus columba
Pileated Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
Pine Grosbeak
Pine Grosbeak
Pinicola enucleator
Pine Siskin
Pine Siskin
Spinus pinus