Primarily brown and streaky - though yellower in the east - the Palm Warbler often moves about on the ground where it searches for insects and rhythmically bobs its tail. Its misleading name suggests a connection to palm trees, however, it is mainly found in open, scrubby areas, bogs, or short trees.
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Palm Warbler
The Palm Warbler is a common and widespread species throughout Canada's Boreal forest east of the Rocky Mountains. It winters along the Pacific Coast and southeastern United States, as well as in Central America and the Caribbean. There are approximately 13 million individuals in Canada, which is nearly 100% of the global population and represents a very high degree of responsibility for Canada, as fewer than 60,000 others breed in the United States, in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York. The Canadian population of Palm Warbler has shown a moderate increase relative to 1970 based on the Breeding Bird Survey, and more recent trends from multiple Canadian Migration Monitoring Network observatories all reflect at least a moderate rate of population growth. Confidence in the assessment is therefore high because of the alignment between these sources, despite the Breeding Bird Survey having limited coverage of the northern parts of the breeding range. The national population of Palm Warbler is within its goal range.
The best source of information on the population status of Palm Warbler is the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Although the northernmost portion of its range is poorly covered, and there is considerable variation in the estimated numbers, overall reliability of the BBS is considered medium. BBS data indicate a long-term moderate increase in abundance since the early 1970s. At a regional level, reliable estimates are only available for central Ontario and Quebec, and the Maritimes, which have seen moderate and large increases, respectively. Canadian Migration Monitoring Network observatories from Alberta through Ontario consistently also indicate moderate to large increases.
The goal for Palm Warbler is to remain at or above its recent population level, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Palm Warbler is currently within its goal range.
| Designation | Geographic Area | Status | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| IUCN | Global | Least Concern | |
| Wild Species | Canada | Secure |
Primarily brown and streaky - though yellower in the east - the Palm Warbler often moves about on the ground where it searches for insects and rhythmically bobs its tail. Its misleading name suggests a connection to palm trees, however, it is mainly found in open, scrubby areas, bogs, or short trees.
Palm Warbler is primarily reported between April and October in Canada, as it migrates south in the nonbreeding season. A dip in observations during the summer coincides with the warbler's return to its northern breeding habitat.