Northern Parula (Parula americana)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

      (Spruce/Fir (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Hemlock (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Upland Conifer (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Northern Hardwoods (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Upland Hardwoods (Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Any Lowland Coniferous (Uneven))

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: In the northern half of its range, this warbler tends to occupy boreal forests, while in the South it typically occurs in bottomland hardwoods where it prefers to nest in Spanish moss. The Northern Parula is known for its generalized forest habitat requirements, although it does not use young second-growth areas or other highly disturbed forests.

In Michigan, it is restricted primarily to northern coniferous forests, particularly areas with hanging Usnea lichen. This lichen is a crucial component for supporting its pendant nest, though occasionally clumps of debris and other vegetation are used. Five nest records in the northernmost Lower Peninsula averaged 3 m above the ground and were in dense clumps of Usnea. Humid areas in mature eastern hemlock or balsam fir forests are optimal habitats for Usnea and the Northern Parula. Northern hardwood forest, northern white cedar swamps, mesic mixed forests, and wet coniferous areas with black spruce and tamarack are also used.

The southern Michigan records are from deciduous floodplain forests and forest-dune communities along Lake Michigan. A bird found singing in late June was in a narrow riverine corridor of mature silver maple on the St. Joseph River, Cass Co.

Like most lichens, Usnea is extremely sensitive to air pollution and acid precipitation. Widespread loss of Usnea is a suspected cause for substantial population declines of Parulas in parts of the Northeast. Reduction of Usnea could result in declining populations of the Northern Parula in Michigan in the future.

Habitat: Breeding: Wooded bogs, swamps, prefers conifers in areas where bearded lichen (Usnea) grows.

Special Habitat Requirements: Prefers to nest in bearded lichen or use the lichen as nesting material.

Habitat: Breeds mainly in humid woods where either Usnea or Spanish moss hangs from the trees (but also in some woods where neither is found). Nests mainly in humid coniferous and deciduous forests, especially those with abundant tree lichens, in swamps or along edges of ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams.

Diet: Mostly insects. Feeds on small beetles, flies, moths, caterpillars, egg clusters, true bugs, ants, bees, wasps, and other insects, also spiders. Also eats some small berries. May feed nestlings many soft green larvae.

Nest: Placed usually in a hollow excavated in hanging tree lichens (Usnea) of Spanish moss, 4-50 feet above the ground. When no lichens or Spanish moss available, also constructed of dangling clumps of twigs or pine needles, or placed in rubbish left by floods in branches hanging over stream. Nest is small hanging pouch of lichen and twigs, unlined or lined sparsely with soft shreds of moss, grass, pine needles, and hair.