A Special Spring Warbler

If you live in a neighborhood with moss-draped oaks and see a flash of yellow flitting through the lower branches, stop and try to get a good look.  You might be seeing a Northern Parula Warbler.  These small birds migrate to Florida from March through September and like our clumps of Spanish moss for building their nests.  They will begin nesting in May.  Northern Parula Warblers mostly eat insects and spiders. Gardeners might appreciate that one food on the menu is grasshopper.  You can see the warblers flying together in small groups or with other birds like titmice.  They have a fast dipping flight.  The yellow throat and blue tinge to the wings gives them away.  Northern Parula Warblers were once more common on the Eastern Seaboard but now might be in decline due to habitat loss.  Here, these little warblers bring a nice touch of Spring.