Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Magnolia Warbler

ParulidaeForest birdsSetophaga magnolia

Magnolia Warbler has held roughly steady: up 2% on the route-weighted index since 1968.

+2%Since 1968
463Routes
58Years Surveyed

About the Magnolia Warbler

The Magnolia Warbler (Setophaga magnolia) is a North American member of the Wood-Warblers (Parulidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the forest birds.

Size
4.5–5.5 in long (11–14 cm) — a small, active songbird (typical for the family)
Habitat
Woodlands and forest edges, including wooded suburbs and parks.
Diet
Insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and bark, with seeds and berries in season.
Range
Recorded on 463 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 16 states, most concentrated in the Atlantic Northern Forest.
Family
Parulidae · Forest birds

Notable Magnolia Warbler Trends

No notable trend signals for Magnolia Warbler. See the full index history below.

Magnolia Warbler Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Magnolia Warbler is projected to rise about 68% by 2029 — from 0.18 in 2024 to a central estimate of 0.30 (95% range 0.17–0.43). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±64.7%, with 20% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

+68%Change by 2029
0.30Projected 2029 index
0.170.4395% range
±64.7%Backtest error
19662029
Projection of the recent trend (dashed) with 80/95% bands — a projection, not a prediction. Habitat, climate, and land use are not modeled.
YearProjected index95% low95% high
20250.300.170.42
20260.300.170.42
20270.300.170.43
20280.300.170.43
20290.300.170.43

Where the Magnolia Warbler Is Detected

BBS routes recording Magnolia Warbler, sized by most recent count.

Magnolia Warbler Population Trend by State

Magnolia Warbler population trend by state.
Connecticut+20%19749
Maine-66%196974
Maryland+411%19688
Massachusetts-49%197017
Michigan12×197452
Minnesota+343%196931
New Hampshire-44%196825
New Jerseyinsufficient datan/a3
New York-50%196888
North Carolinainsufficient datan/a1
Ohioinsufficient datan/a2
Pennsylvania+628%196872
Vermont+150%196824
Virginiainsufficient datan/a2
West Virginia+815%196920
Wisconsin+400%196935

Magnolia Warbler Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Magnolia Warbler population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
Boreal Hardwood Transition+603%1968103
Lower Great Lakes / St. Lawrence Plain-44%196841
Atlantic Northern Forest-37%1968150
Prairie Hardwood Transition+0%198015
Appalachian Mountains+590%1968132
New England / Mid-Atlantic Coast-6%196922

Magnolia Warbler Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 2% since 1968.

Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-05-22. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.