This article refers to the New World wood warbler family of birds, the Parulidae. For the Eurasian species Phylloscopus sibilatrix, see Wood Warbler.

The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small, often colorful, passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are closely related to neither the Old World warblers nor the Australian warblers. Most are arboreal, but some, like the Ovenbird and the two waterthrushes, are more terrestrial. Most members of this family are insectivores.

It is likely that this group originated in northern Central America, which remains with the greatest diversity and numbers of species. From thence they spread north during the interglacial periods, mainly as migrants, returning to the ancestral region in winter. Two genera, Myioborus and Basileuterus seem to have colonised South America early, perhaps before the two continents were linked, and provide most warbler species of that region.

The scientific name for the family, Parulidae, originates from the fact that Linnaeus in 1758 named the Northern Parula as a tit, Parus americanus, and, as taxonomy developed, the genus name was modified first to Parulus and then the current Parula. The family name, of course, derives from that genus.

Description

All the warblers are fairly small. The smallest species is the Lucy's Warbler (Oreothlypis luciae), at about 6.5 grams and 10.6 cm (4.2 in). The largest species depends upon the true taxonomy of the family. Traditionally, it was listed as Yellow-breasted Chat, at 18.2 cm (7.2 in). Since this may not be parulid, the Parkesia waterthrushes, the Ovenbird, the Russet-crowned Warbler and Semper's Warbler, all of which can exceed 15 cm (6 in) and 21 grams, could be considered the largest.

The migratory species tend to lay larger clutches of eggs, typically up to six, since the hazards of their journeys mean that many individuals will have only one chance to breed. In contrast, two eggs is typical for many tropical species, since the chicks can be provided with better care, and the adults are likely to have further opportunities for reproduction.

Many migratory species, particularly those breeding further north, have distinctive male plumage at least in the breeding season, since males need to reclaim territory and advertise for mates each year. This tendency is particularly marked in the large genus Dendroica. In contrast, resident tropical species, which pair for life, show little if any sexual dimorphism. There are of course exceptions. The Parkesia waterthrushes and Ovenbird are strongly migratory, but have identical male and female plumage, whereas the mainly tropical and sedentary yellowthroats are dimorphic. The Granatellus chats also show sexual dimorphism, but due to recent genetic work have been moved into the family Cardinalidae (New World buntings and cardinals).

Systematics

There are a number of issues in the taxonomy and systematics of the Parulidae.

• The New World warblers are closely related to the tanagers, and some species like the conebills Conirostrum and the Bananaquit have been placed into either group by different authorities. Currently, the conebills are normally placed in Thraupidae and the Bananaquit in its own family.
• Green-tailed Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and White-winged Warbler are other species where there have been questions as to whether they should be considered as warblers or tanagers.
• The Pardusco, Nephelornis oneilli is also of uncertain affinities

Genera and species

• Genus Vermivora
  • Bachman's Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii
  • Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora cyanoptera
  • Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
• Genus Oreothlypis
  • Tennessee Warbler, Oreothlypis peregrina
  • Orange-crowned Warbler, Oreothlypis celata
  • Nashville Warbler, Oreothlypis ruficapilla
  • Virginia's Warbler, Oreothlypis virginiae
  • Colima Warbler, Oreothlypis crissalis
  • Lucy's Warbler, Oreothlypis luciae
  • Flame-throated Warbler, Oreothlypis gutturalis
  • Crescent-chested Warbler, Oreothlypis superciliosa

• Genus Catharopeza
  • Whistling Warbler, Catharopeza bishopi

• Genus Mniotilta
  • Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia

• Genus Setophaga

• • Plumbeous Warbler, Setophaga plumbea
  • Elfin-woods Warbler, Setophaga angelae
  • Arrow-headed Warbler, Setophaga pharetra
  • Hooded Warbler, Setophaga citrina
  • American Redstart. Setophaga ruticilla
  • Kirtland's Warbler, Setophaga kirtlandii
  • Cape May Warbler, Setophaga tigrina
  • Cerulean Warbler, Setophaga cerulea
  • Northern Parula, Setophaga americana
  • Tropical Parula, Setophaga pitiayumi
  • Magnolia Warbler, Setophaga magnolia
  • Bay-breasted Warbler, Setophaga castanea
  • Blackburnian Warbler, Setophaga fusca
  • American Yellow Warbler, Setophaga aestiva
  • Mangrove Warbler, Setophaga petechia (formerly included in Yellow Warbler)
  • Chestnut-sided Warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica
  • Blackpoll Warbler, Setophaga striata
  • Black-throated Blue Warbler, Setophaga caerulescens
  • Palm Warbler, Setophaga palmarum
  • Olive-capped Warbler, Setophaga pityophila
  • Pine Warbler, Setophaga pinus'
  • Myrtle Warbler, Setophaga coronata (formerly included in Yellow-rumped Warbler)
  • Audubon's Warbler, Setophaga auduboni (formerly included in Yellow-rumped Warbler)
  • Black-fronted Warbler, Setophaga nigrifrons (formerly included in Yellow-rumped Warbler)
  • Goldman's Warbler, Setophaga goldmani (formerly included in Yellow-rumped Warbler)
  • Yellow-throated Warbler, Setophaga dominica
  • Bahama Warbler, Setophaga flavescens
  • Vitelline Warbler, Setophaga vitellina
  • Prairie Warbler, Setophaga discolor
  • Adelaide's Warbler, Setophaga adelaidae
  • Barbuda Warbler, Setophaga subita
  • St. Lucia Warbler, Setophaga delicata
  • Grace's Warbler, Setophaga graciae
  • Black-throated Gray Warbler, Setophaga nigrescens
  • Townsend's Warbler, Setophaga townsendi
  • Hermit Warbler, Setophaga occidentalis
  • Golden-cheeked Warbler, Setophaga chrysoparia
  • Black-throated Green Warbler, Setophaga virens

• Genus Protonotaria
  • Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea

• Genus Helmitheros
  • Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus

• Genus Limnothlypis
  • Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii

• Genus Seiurus
  • Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus

• Genus Parkesia
  • Northern Waterthrush, Parkesia noveboracensis
  • Louisiana Waterthrush, Parkesia motacilla

• Genus Oporornis
  • Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis

• Genus Geothlypis
  • Kentucky Warbler, Geothlypis formosus
  • Mourning Warbler, Geothlypis philadelphia
  • MacGillivray's Warbler, Geothlypis tolmiei
  • Common Yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas
  • Belding's Yellowthroat, Geothlypis beldingi
  • Altamira Yellowthroat, Geothlypis flavovelata
  • Bahama Yellowthroat, Geothlypis rostrata
  • Olive-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis semiflava
  • Black-polled Yellowthroat, Geothlypis speciosa
  • Masked Yellowthroat, Geothlypis aequinoctialis
  • Gray-crowned Yellowthroat, Geothlypis poliocephala
  • Hooded Yellowthroat, Geothlypis nelsoni

• Genus Cardellina
  • Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons
  • Wilson's Warbler, Cardellina pusilla
  • Canada Warbler, Cardellina canadensis
  • Red Warbler, Cardellina ruber
  • Pink-headed Warbler, Cardellina versicolor

• Genus Myioborus (often, less accurately, named as redstarts, but they have conspicuous white, not red, feathers on the tail sides)
  • Painted Whitestart, Myioborus pictus
  • Slate-throated Whitestart, Myioborus miniatus
  • Tepui Whitestart, Myioborus castaneocapillus
  • Brown-capped Whitestart, Myioborus brunniceps
  • Yellow-faced Whitestart, Myioborus pariae
  • White-faced Whitestart, Myioborus albifacies
  • Saffron-breasted Whitestart, Myioborus cardonai
  • Collared Whitestart, Myioborus torquatus
  • Spectacled Whitestart, Myioborus melanocephalus
  • Golden-fronted Whitestart, Myioborus ornatus
  • White-fronted Whitestart, Myioborus albifrons
  • Yellow-crowned Whitestart, Myioborus flavivertex

• Genus Euthlypis
  • Fan-tailed Warbler, Euthlypis lachrymosa

• Genus Basileuterus
  • Gray-and-gold Warbler, Basileuterus fraseri
  • Two-banded Warbler, Basileuterus bivittatus
  • Golden-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus chrysogaster
  • Choco Warbler, Basileuterus chlorophrys
  • Pale-legged Warbler, Basileuterus signatus
  • Citrine Warbler, Basileuterus luteoviridis
  • Black-crested Warbler, Basileuterus nigrocristatus
  • Gray-headed Warbler, Basileuterus griseiceps
  • Santa Marta Warbler, Basileuterus basilicus
  • Gray-throated Warbler, Basileuterus cinereicollis
  • White-lored Warbler, Basileuterus conspicillatus
  • Russet-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus coronatus
  • Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus
  • Three-banded Warbler, Basileuterus trifasciatus
  • White-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus hypoleucus
  • Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons
  • Golden-browed Warbler, Basileuterus belli
  • Black-cheeked Warbler, Basileuterus melanogenys
  • Pirre Warbler, Basileuterus ignotus
  • Three-striped Warbler, Basileuterus tristriatus
  • White-rimmed Warbler, Basileuterus leucoblepharus
  • White-striped Warbler, Basileuterus leucophrys
  • Flavescent Warbler, Basileuterus flaveolus

• Genus Phaeothlypis (formerly included in Basileuterus)
  • Buff-rumped Warbler, Phaeothlypis fulvicauda
  • Neotropical River Warbler, Phaeothlypis rivularis

Incertae sedis

• Green-tailed Warbler or Green-tailed Ground Warbler, Microligea palustris (Not a parulid)

• Yellow-headed Warbler, Teretistris fernandinae (Not a parulid)
• Oriente Warbler, Teretistris fornsi

• Semper's Warbler, Leucopeza semperi (possibly related to Teretistris and if so not a parulid)

• Wrenthrush, Zeledonia coronata (Not a parulid)

• Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens (Not a parulid)

• White-winged Warbler, Xenoligea montana (Not a parulid)

References

• Curson, Quinn and Beadle, 1994. New World Warblers. 252 p. ISBN 0-7136-3932-6
• Dunn, Jon. 1997. A field guide to warblers of North America. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Co., x, 656 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps ; 19 cm.
• Harrison, Hal H. 1984. Wood warblers’ world. New York : Simon and Schuster, 335 p., 24 p. of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 25 cm.
• Lovette, I. J. and E. Bermingham. 2002. What is a wood-warbler? Molecular characterization of a monophyletic Parulidae. The Auk. 119(3): 695-714. PDF fulltext
• Morse, Douglass H. 1989. American warblers : an ecological and behavioral perspective. Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, xii, 406 p. : ill., maps.