The Northern Parula is a small songbird found in North America. Its scientific name is Setophaga americana. This brightly colored warbler has blue-gray upperparts, yellow underparts, and a greenish back patch. The male Northern Parula also has a reddish-brown breast band.
Northern Parulas breed in the eastern and central United States and southeastern Canada. They migrate to the southern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean for the winter.
The Northern Parula prefers to nest in hanging mosses and lichens in trees. This unique nesting behavior has led to some questions about how common or rare this bird is. Some bird enthusiasts want to know if the Northern Parula is endangered or a threatened species.
Quick Facts on the Northern Parula
Here are some key facts on the abundance and conservation status of the Northern Parula:
– The Northern Parula has a large breeding range of 1.1 million square kilometers.
– Its global population is estimated at 10 million individuals.
– The IUCN Red List categorizes the Northern Parula as a species of Least Concern.
– Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 28 million Northern Parulas, with 83% living in the United States and Canada.
– The Northern Parula is protected in the United States under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
– Population trends show the numbers of Northern Parulas are decreasing in some areas but stable or increasing in others.
So while the Northern Parula has a large range and high total population, there are some regional declines that bear monitoring. Overall the Northern Parula is not considered globally rare or endangered.
What Makes a Bird Species Rare?
What factors determine if a bird species is considered rare? Ornithologists and conservation scientists look at these key criteria:
– **Range size** – A species with a small geographic breeding range is more vulnerable to extinction than a widespread species. Northern Parulas breed across much of eastern North America.
– **Population size** – Small total population numbers increase the risk of dying out. Northern Parulas number in the millions.
– **Population trend** – A declining population is of more concern than a stable or increasing one. Northern Parulas are decreasing in some regions but not across their entire range.
– **Habitat specificity** – Birds that rely on rare or threatened habitats face higher risk. Northern Parulas nest in hanging mosses, which are widespread.
– **Major threats** – Species threatened by severe habitat loss, invasive species, or other factors are higher priority for conservation. Northern Parulas face some threats but not to a high degree across their whole range.
Looking at all those criteria together provides a picture of the Northern Parula’s overall abundance. They do not trigger many of the red flags that would indicate a rare or highly threatened bird species. While worth monitoring, they are still relatively common songbirds in appropriate habitat.
Northern Parula Population Numbers and Trends
To understand whether the Northern Parula is rare, it helps to look at some key population figures and trends from ornithology sources:
Partners in Flight Estimates
Partners in Flight is a cooperative bird conservation group that periodically releases population estimates and trends for North American landbird species. Their [2016 estimates](https://www.partnersinflight.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/PIF-Species-Assessment-Database_AUG-2017.xlsx) for the Northern Parula included:
– Global breeding population: 28 million
– Percent of global population in U.S. & Canada: 83%
– U.S. & Canada breeding population: 21 million
With an estimated 28 million Northern Parulas across their breeding range, the species is clearly abundant. The 83% figure also shows they are concentrated heavily in the United States and Canada.
Partners in Flight also showed increasing population trends for Northern Parulas in some regions, and decreasing trends in others:
– US & Canada population trend 1966-2015: -15%
– Eastern BBS region 1966-2015 trend: +0.81% per year
– Central BBS region 1966-2015 trend: -2.08% per year
So while Northern Parula numbers are dropping in parts of central North America, their populations appear stable to increasing in eastern areas.
The Breeding Bird Survey
The [Breeding Bird Survey](https://www.usgs.gov/centers/pwrc/science/breeding-bird-survey-bbs?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects) is a long-running program by the U.S. Geological Survey that monitors bird population trends by collecting annual count data along roadside survey routes.
Looking at 50 years of Breeding Bird Survey data from 1966-2015, the trend results for Northern Parulas show:
– Observed in 24% of Breeding Bird Survey routes
– Average of 1.9 birds observed per route
– Population Declined by 0.57% annually
– Total decline during period = 29%
The Breeding Bird Survey data indicate a moderate population decline across the monitoring period. But the 1.9 birds per route shows the species has maintained a consistent presence during the breeding season.
Audubon Christmas Bird Counts
The [Audubon Christmas Bird Count](https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count) is an early-winter bird census organized by volunteers across the Americas. The count provides snapshot data on winter bird populations.
Audubon data during the period 1966-2019 shows:
– Average of 2,434 Northern Parulas observed per year
– Stable average numbers observed over the decades
Since Northern Parulas overwinter in southern North America and the Caribbean, the Christmas Bird Count provides a look at their non-breeding range. The stable count averages indicate no drastic rises or declines in their wintering numbers.
Breeding Bird Atlas Data
State and provincial Breeding Bird Atlases provide detailed maps of where bird species are found during the nesting season. Comparing historical atlases to recent ones shows range expansions or contractions.
Examples of Northern Parula breeding distributions:
– Minnesota: Found across 60% of blocks in first atlas (1978-83), 64% in second atlas (2007-13)
– Vermont: Occupied 42% of survey blocks in first atlas (1976–81), 55% in second atlas (2003–2007)
These types of results show Northern Parulas are maintaining a consistent breeding range in many parts of their habitat. Range expansion in some areas also indicates populations are not rare or declining precipitously.
Threats and Conservation Status
The Northern Parula faces a few conservation issues, though none that rise to the level of being endangered or critically threatened:
– **Habitat loss** – Logging, development, and agriculture reduce suitable forest habitat. Loss of hanging long mosses for nesting is a concern.
– **Brood parasitism** – Brown-headed Cowbirds lay eggs in Parula nests, reducing nest productivity. Rates are as high as 60% in some regions.
– **Collisions** – Parulas are victims of collisions with towers and other tall structures during migration.
– **Climate change** – Warming temperatures may alter forest habitats, moss availability, and insect prey abundance over the long term.
However, with large range, high populations, and no catastrophic threats, the Northern Parula is classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Partners in Flight score it a 10 out of 20 on their [Continental Concern Score](https://abcbirds.org/bird/northern-parula/). While some conservation action may be warranted regionally, the Northern Parula as a species appears in no danger of becoming rare or extinct.
Conclusion
In summary, while the Northern Parula has a unique nesting behavior in hanging mosses, it is still a common and widespread songbird based on its:
– Large breeding range across eastern and central North America
– Global population estimated at 28 million birds
– IUCN categorization as Least Concern
– Lack of extreme threats or dangerously low numbers
– Stable to increasing regional population trends, despite some declines
So while the Northern Parula should be monitored and conserved like any songbird, especially on the regional levels, it shows no signs overall of becoming a rare or endangered species anytime soon. This colorful little warbler remains a fairly common sight in its forest and swamp breeding habitats.
References
Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Northern Parula Life History. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Parula/lifehistory
IUCN Red List. Northern Parula Status. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22721808/180437233
Partners in Flight. Landbird Population Estimates Database. https://pif.birdconservancy.org/PopEstimates
U.S. Geological Survey. Breeding Bird Survey Results and Analysis. https://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/trend/rfot5440.html
Audubon. Guide to North American Birds – Northern Parula. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-parula
Minnesota Breeding Bird Atlas. Northern Parula Distribution Maps. https://mnbirdatlas.org/species/northern-parula
Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas. Northern Parula Comparison. https://vtecostudies.org/index.php/projects-2/vermont-breeding-bird-atlas/
Visual Summary
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| Global Population | 10 million |
| Breeding Range Size | 1.1 million sq. km |
| IUCN Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Major Threats | Moderate habitat loss |
| Population Trend | Decreasing in some regions, stable or increasing in others |
Based on these metrics and population data, the Northern Parula is a relatively abundant songbird species, not considered globally rare or at high risk of extinction. Some regional declines warrant monitoring and conservation action.
