When I saw the small bird preening in the filtered sunlight of an understory tree at Nichols Arboretum, I wasn’t sure what bird it was.
It was puffed up and wet.
With a yellow throat, gray cap, yellow lower bill, and what looked like black streaking on a white breast.
From it’s size, I could tell it was a warbler.
But which one?
The bird was intently focused on preening its wet feathers.
Thankfully, I was with a group of birders who also saw the small bird and wondered what it was.
After a few guesses which were eliminated, the yellow throat and yellow bill were what our bird walk leader focused on when they confirmed, “It’s a Northern Parula.”
I would never have been able to identify the bird on my own.
Fall warblers have been migrating through our area for the past few weeks.
And they’re challenging to identify, with their muted colors, lack of bird song, and plenty of green leaves to dart behind.
I’m grateful for other birders in our group walks who helpfully point out features to focus on.
Here’s another look at the Northern Parula, when it paused from preening for a moment.
