Species · BBS 2025 Release · 1966–2024

Palm Warbler

ParulidaeForest birdsSetophaga palmarum

Palm Warbler has surged: up 125% on the route-weighted index since 1969.

+125%Since 1969
83Routes
55Years Surveyed

About the Palm Warbler

The Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) 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 83 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 5 states, most concentrated in the Boreal Hardwood Transition.
Family
Parulidae · Forest birds

Notable Palm Warbler Trends

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

Palm Warbler Population Forecast

If the recent trend holds, Palm Warbler is projected to stay roughly flat through 2029, near 0.01 (95% range 0.01–0.02). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±131%, with 40% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.

n/aChange by 2029
0.01Projected 2029 index
0.010.0295% range
±131%Backtest error
19672029
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
20250.010.000.02
20260.010.010.02
20270.010.010.02
20280.010.010.02
20290.010.010.02

Where the Palm Warbler Is Detected

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

Palm Warbler Population Trend by State

Palm Warbler population trend by state.
Maine+16%197731
Michigan+123%199215
Minnesota+71%197120
New Yorkinsufficient datan/a3
Wisconsin-32%197114

Palm Warbler Population Trend by Region

Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.

Palm Warbler population trend by Bird Conservation Region.
Boreal Hardwood Transition+123%196948
Atlantic Northern Forest+68%197733

Palm Warbler Conservation Status

Our route-weighted index shows it up about 125% since 1969.

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