Parulidae

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Parulidae (New World warblers; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small birds that are mainly olive and grey, but which are boldly patterned with other colours (e.g. the 11 species of Vermivora, which are green or brown with areas of yellow, orange, red, black, and blue on their wings, head, or throat). They have slender, pointed bills, medium-sized, pointed wings with nine primaries, and medium-length tails. They are mainly arboreal, some climbing trees; others are terrestrial. Many are migratory. They inhabit forests and brush, feed on insects, nectar, and fruit, and nest in bushes, trees, and on the ground. The 21 species of Basileuterus (wood-warblers) are insectivores that build domed nests with a side entrance on or near the ground. Dendroica petrechia (yellow warbler) exists in a number of distinct racial forms and throughout the Americas, while D. kirtlandii (Kirtland's warbler) has a breeding range confined to a small area of jack pine in Michigan. Some of the 14 species of Geothlypis (yellowthroats and warblers) are placed in a separate genus, Oporornis. There are about 25 genera in the family, with 126 species, found in N., Central, and S. America, and the W. Indies.