New World Warblers or Wood-warblers
The New World warblers or wood-warblers are a group of small often colorful passerine birds restricted to the New World. They are not related to the Old World warblers (Sylviidae) or 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 of the resident warbler species of that region.
Many migratory species, particularly those breeding further north, have distinctive male plumage at least in the breeding seaon, 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 (visual physical differences between the sexes) .
There are of course exceptions. The Seiurus 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 (visual physical differences between the sexes), but due to recent genetic work may soon be moved into the family Cardinalidae (New World buntings and cardinals).
Description
All the warblers are fairly small. The smallest species is the Lucy's Warbler (Vermivora luciae), at about 6.5 grams and 10.6 cm (4.2 inches). By far the largest species is the Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens), at 27 grams and 19 cm (7.5 inches).
Breeding / Nesting
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.
Taxonomic issues
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.
There are a number of issues in the taxonomy of the Parulidae.
- Sibley and Ahlquist have suggested that the family be merged with the Emberizidae as a subfamily Parulinae. The Olive Warbler, however would be removed from the group as the only member of the separate subfamily Peucedramimae.
- 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, the Granatellus chats 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
Species list in taxonomic order
Family: Parulidae
- Genus Vermivora
- Bachman's Warbler, Vermivora bachmanii
- Blue-winged Warbler, Vermivora pinus
- Golden-winged Warbler, Vermivora chrysoptera
- Tennessee Warbler, Vermivora peregrina
- Orange-crowned Warbler, Vermivora celata
- Nashville Warbler, Vermivora ruficapilla
- Virginia's Warbler, Vermivora virginiae
- Colima Warbler, Vermivora crissalis
- Lucy's Warbler, Vermivora luciae
- Genus Parula (gutturalis and superciliosa paraphyletic* with Vermivora) (*Paraphyletic = some, but not all, of the descendants from a common ancestor)
- Flame-throated Warbler, Parula gutturalis
- Crescent-chested Warbler, Parula superciliosa
- Northern Parula, Parula americana
- Tropical Parula, Parula pitiayumi
- Genus Dendroica
- Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia
- Chestnut-sided Warbler, Dendroica pensylvanica
- Magnolia Warbler, Dendroica magnolia
- Cape May Warbler, Dendroica tigrina
- Black-throated Blue Warbler, Dendroica caerulescens
- Yellow-rumped Warbler, Dendroica coronata
- Black-throated Gray Warbler, Dendroica nigrescens
- Golden-cheeked Warbler, Dendroica chrysoparia
- Black-throated Green Warbler, Dendroica virens
- Townsend's Warbler, Dendroica townsendi
- Hermit Warbler, Dendroica occidentalis
- Blackburnian Warbler, Dendroica fusca
- Yellow-throated Warbler, Dendroica dominica
- Olive-capped Warbler, Dendroica pityophila
- Grace's Warbler, Dendroica graciae
- Adelaide's Warbler, Dendroica adelaidae
- Barbuda Warbler, Dendroica subita
- St. Lucia Warbler, Dendroica delicata
- Pine Warbler, Dendroica pinus
- Kirtland's Warbler, Dendroica kirtlandii
- Prairie Warbler, Dendroica discolor
- Vitelline Warbler, Dendroica vitellina
- Palm Warbler, Dendroica palmarum
- Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea
- Blackpoll Warbler, Dendroica striata
- Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea
- Plumbeous Warbler, Dendroica plumbea
- Arrow-headed Warbler, Dendroica pharetra
- Elfin-woods Warbler, Dendroica angelae*
- Genus Catharopeza
- Whistling Warbler, Catharopeza bishopi : The Whistling Warbler (Catharopeza bishopi) is a species of bird in the Parulidae family. It is monotypic (one single species) within the genus Catharopeza. It is endemic to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Genus Mniotilta
- Black-and-white Warbler, Mniotilta varia
- Genus Setophaga
- American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
- Genus Protonotaria
- Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea
- Genus Helmitheros
- Worm-eating Warbler, Helmitheros vermivorus
- Genus Limnothlypis
- Swainson's Warbler, Limnothlypis swainsonii
- Genus Seiurus (genus polyphyletic = derived from more than one ancestral type)
- Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus
- Northern Waterthrush, Seiurus noveboracensis
- Louisiana Waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla
- Genus Oporornis
- Kentucky Warbler, Oporornis formosus
- Connecticut Warbler, Oporornis agilis
- Mourning Warbler, Oporornis philadelphia
- MacGillivray's Warbler, Oporornis tolmiei
- Genus Geothlypis
- 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 Wilsonia
- Hooded Warbler, Wilsonia citrina
- Wilson's Warbler, Wilsonia pusilla
- Canada Warbler, Wilsonia canadensis
- Genus Cardellina
- Red-faced Warbler, Cardellina rubrifrons
- Genus Ergaticus
- Red Warbler, Ergaticus ruber : Endemic to the Sierra Madre of Mexico, north of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Adults are bright red, with a white or silver ear patch, depending on the subspecies. Red Warbler forms a species pair with the Pink-headed Warbler of Chiapas and Guatemala.
- Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor: Endemic New World warbler found in the southwestern highlands of Guatemala and the highlands of the Mexican state of Chiapas. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species it is classified as Vulnerable: "This species has a small range, which is declining in response to continuing deforestation. Remaining habitat is small enough to qualify the species as Endangered, but it is classified as Vulnerable because there are recent records from more than five locations." The bird is rarest in Chiapas and becomes almost common at higher elevations in Western Guatemala according to the IUCN and the Guatemalan Birding Resource Center.
- Genus Myioborus (often, more accurately, named as whitestarts, as they have conspicuous white, not red, feathers on the tail sides)
- Painted Redstart, Myioborus pictus
- Slate-throated Redstart, Myioborus miniatus : Found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, the United States, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest. ... USGS
- Tepui Redstart, Myioborus castaneocapillus : Found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.
- Brown-capped Redstart, Myioborus brunniceps : Found in Argentina and Bolivia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and heavily degraded former forest
- Yellow-faced Redstart, Myioborus pariae aka the Paria Whitestart: Endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- White-faced Redstart, Myioborus albifacies : Endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.
- Saffron-breasted Redstart, Myioborus cardonai : Endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Collared Redstart, Myioborus torquatus
- Spectacled Redstart, Myioborus melanocephalus: Found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.
- Golden-fronted Redstart, Myioborus ornatus : Found in Colombia and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes
- White-fronted Redstart, Myioborus albifrons: Endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Yellow-crowned Redstart, Myioborus flavivertex : Endemic to Colombia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.
- Genus Euthlypis
- Fan-tailed Warbler, Euthlypis lachrymosa
- Genus Basileuterus
- Gray-and-gold Warbler, Basileuterus fraseri: Found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Two-banded Warbler, Basileuterus bivittatus : Found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.
- Golden-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus chrysogaster
- Choco Warbler, Basileuterus chlorophrys
- Pale-legged Warbler, Basileuterus signatus : Native to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia and Peru.[1] Its habitats include subtropical or tropical moist montane, as well as subtropical or tropical heavily degraded former forest.[1]
- Citrine Warbler, Basileuterus luteoviridis: Found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.
- Black-crested Warbler, Basileuterus nigrocristatus : Found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.
- Gray-headed Warbler, Basileuterus griseiceps : Endemic to Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Santa Marta Warbler, Basileuterus basilicus : Endemic to Colombia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Gray-throated Warbler, Basileuterus cinereicollis : Found in Colombia and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- White-lored Warbler, Basileuterus conspicillatus : Endemic to Colombia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, plantations , and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Russet-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus coronatus : Found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.
- Golden-crowned Warbler, Basileuterus culicivorus
- Three-banded Warbler, Basileuterus trifasciatus : Found in Ecuador and Peru. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.
- White-bellied Warbler, Basileuterus hypoleucus : Found in Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Rufous-capped Warbler, Basileuterus rufifrons
- Golden-browed Warbler, Basileuterus belli: Found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes.
- Black-cheeked Warbler, Basileuterus melanogenys
- Pirre Warbler, Basileuterus ignotus : Found in Colombia and Panama. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat loss.
- Three-striped Warbler, Basileuterus tristriatus: Found in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montanes and heavily degraded former forest.
- White-rimmed Warbler, Basileuterus leucoblepharus : Found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.
- White-striped Warbler, Basileuterus leucophrys: Endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Flavescent Warbler, Basileuterus flaveolus : Found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Buff-rumped Warbler, Basileuterus(Phaeothlypis) fulvicauda
- Neotropical River Warbler, Basileuterus(Phaeothlypis) rivularis: Found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Incertae sedis
- Green-tailed Warbler, Microligea palustris (Not a parulid)
- Yellow-headed Warbler, Teretistris fernandinae (Not a parulid): Endemic to Cuba. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- Oriente Warbler, Teretistris fornsi : Endemic to Cuba. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.
- Semper's Warbler, Leucopeza semperi (possibly related to Teretistris and if so not a parulid)
- Wrenthrush, Zeledonia coronata (Not a parulid): Endemic to Costa Rica and western Panama. It has a short tail, rounded wings and an elongated tarsi. The species name is in commemoration of José Castulo Zeledón, a Costa Rican ornithologist.
- Yellow-breasted Chat, Icteria virens (Not a parulid)
- Red-breasted Chat, Granatellus venustus (Granatellus not parulid but probably in Cardinalidae): Endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
- Gray-throated Chat, Granatellus sallaei: Found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
- Rose-breasted Chat, Granatellus pelzelni : Found in Bolivia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
- White-winged Warbler, Xenoligea montana (Not a parulid)
References
- Curson, Quinn and Beadle, 1994. New World Warblers. 252 p. ISBN 0-7136-3932-6
- 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
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