TROPICAL PARULA (SETOPHAGA PITIAYUMI)

The tropical parula is a small warbler worth laying eyes on but you would have to venture south to the tropics, from northern Mexico down to central Argentina. They do however look very much like our Northern Parulas.

Tropical parulas have bluish-gray heads and upper parts. What makes them so noticeable is the yellow throat, chin, and breast that run all the way down to the creamy-white lower belly and undertail. Around their eyes and bill is a black mask, two white wing bars, and dainty, yellow legs. The female tropical parula doesn’t have the black mask and has less bright colors than her mate.

Tropical parulas feed mainly on insects and occasionally some berries. They forage at mid-level among canopies, nibbling bugs off the leaves. Like other songbirds, they also hover and fly out to catch insects midair.