Northern Parula Population Analysis
Northern Parula has surged: up 167% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
About the Northern Parula
The Northern Parula (Setophaga americana) 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 1,757 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 37 states, most concentrated in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
- Family
- Parulidae · Forest birds
Notable Northern Parula TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →
Northern Parula has surged in surveyed states: up 167% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Northern Parula Population Forecast
If the recent trend holds, Northern Parula is projected to stay roughly flat through 2030, near 1.8 (95% range 1.5–2.0). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.4%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
Where the Northern Parula Is Detected
BBS routes recording Northern Parula, sized by most recent count.
Northern Parula Population Trend by State
Northern Parula Population Trend by Region
Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.
Northern Parula Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it up about 167% since 1968.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.