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Field ID: Warblers

Novasola is home to five endemic species of New World warbler, family Parulidae. As with other warblers, these can be tough to tell apart, especially for beginner birders, because of their small size, similar plumages, propensity for dense foliage, and quick movements which all make for difficult positive ID, and this is especially true for females and juveniles or non-breeding males. 

To distinguish between warbler species, not only should color pattern (field marks) be used, but also song, calls, habitat, location, time of year, and behaviors. What follows is a list of useful ID tips for each species. Click the species' name for that bird's full entry.

Picture and text provided by the Museum of Novasola, in association with the Novasola Audubon Society.


1.     Yellow-sided Warbler   
    • Field Marks - Dark above, yellow and white below. Look for yellow throat, black breast spot, and white spotting in wings and tail. Females may lack yellow sides and throat, breast and wing spots more useful. From below, look for obvious white band in the tail.
    • Voice - Slow, clear whistles rising and falling in pitch like waves, usually lasting around 3 seconds. Distinctive chek call.
    •  Habitat - Prefers mature forests for breeding and more open habitat during winter. Can be seen at any height strata, but most often in canopy or sub-canopy.
    • Location - Breeds across Novasola, densest in forests. Winters along southern coasts.
    • Time - Only endemic warbler to winter in Novasola
    • Behaviors - Variable feeding strategies, may glean insects of leaves, from bark, off the ground, or catch them in flight. Most often seen near fruit bushes in winter.
2.     Ricci's Warbler
    • Field Marks - Boldly patterned black and yellow head with white throat. Undersides white with dark streaking, females lack streaking. Look for white throat. From below, white warbler with dark, unmarked tail.
    • Voice - Variable songs and calls, may mimic other birds, but voice is always raspy or buzzy.
    • Habitat - Mature forests, especially conifers. Rarely seen below the sub-canopy.
    • Location - Breeds in most Novasolan forests. Avoids open areas and the prairie.
    • Time - On island from late May to mid to late August
    • Behaviors - Hard to observe, stays in canopy. Quick movements, forages in conifer needles. Males sing constantly.
3.     Apple Warbler
    • Field Marks - Yellowish overall with rust colored cap and breast band, whitish eye stripe. Females lack breast band, may appear completely olive-yellow. Only warbler with reddish color and light eye stripe. From below, look for red breast band. If female or young, may appear totally yellow, but darker than Black-eared Yellow warblers and with dark bill.
    • Voice - Series of clear, sweet, high whistles, usually around 10 notes, which decelerates and lowers in pitch, like a bouncing ball. The song, and individual notes, are crisp and musical, more-so than other endemic warblers.
    • Habitat - Generalist, found in forests, woodlands, riparian areas, wetlands, meadows, etc. Prefers dense shrub layer. Found at any height, but prefers mid-canopy to understory.
    • Location - Widespread across Novasola
    • Time - On island from late May to mid to late August
    • Behaviors - Prefers tall shrubs or small trees. Often nests in orchards. Prefers dense cover, but males will sing from exposed perches.
4.     Crescent Warbler
    • Field Marks - Yellow-green overall, with gray head and white crescent-shaped breast band and eyering. Males have black throat. Look for black throat, gray head and yellow body, and white breast mark. Bill pinkish.
    • Voice - Song is a slow, burry warble, usually descending in pitch. Song usually three to five syllables, lasting one to two seconds, often written as Cheery-churry-chore. Song is slower and deeper than other native warblers. The most common call is a short, metallic tsik.
    • Habitat - Wooded ecosystems like conifer, deciduous, and mixed forests, shrublands, and wetlands, but are usually found only in areas with dense understory vegetation or shrub layer. Associated with secondary growth or disturbed areas within forests and riparian thickets. Mostly remains in the understory.
    • Location - Breeds in most Novasolan forests. Avoids the interior prairie.
    • Time - On island May to August
    • Behaviors - Remains under dense cover. Slower moving and more methodical than other warblers.
5.     Black-eared Yellow Warbler
    • Field Marks - Entirely yellow with whitish lining to wings and tail. Bill and legs pinkish. Males have black mark of cheeks. Smallest native warbler. Apart from ear mark, look for small size, and plain yellow plumage.
    • Voice - Song is two-parted; first a high-pitched warble followed by a sharp buzzy trill. Song usually lasts about two seconds, with each part even in length. The warble starts of clear and sweet before dropping into the buzz, which is raspier. Variable calls.
    • Habitat - Most ecosystems with a dense understory. Almost always near water. 
    • Location - Widespread, only in wet areas
    • Time - Late May to early August
    • Behaviors - Remains under dense cover, moves quickly and incessantly. May feed from the ground. 


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