Palm Warblers are fun birds. I remember learning how to identify them years ago, not only by their physical appearance and their call, but also their behaviors. They are persistent tail pumpers, which is an endearing habit. It makes them seem even more animated than some of the other warblers.
I’ve always been amazed at how many there are in Florida in the winter. They seem to be everywhere… but not necessarily in palm trees. More often I see them on the ground foraging for insects. Here in Michigan we see them as they migrate to their breeding grounds in the boreal forests of northern Canada. When I lived in New Jersey, the individuals I saw were substantially brighter than the western variety we get here in the Midwest. I didn’t realize until this painting that there are different plumages in eastern and western birds, with the color variations dependent upon which side of James Bay (the southernmost portion of Hudson Bay) they breed.
Maybe this fits the classic debate, “Which is better: the East Coast or the Midwest?” If you are from New York or New Jersey, you think the eastern version of everything is more glamorous and spectacular, and the Midwest being boring. Conversely, Midwesterners tend to think that the East Coast version of everything is overly showy and lacks subtlety. Well, having lived in both places, I can say that both versions of the Palm Warbler are a treat to see!
Have you had any interesting encounters with Palm Warblers? Share your experiences in the comments below!
The original painting is still available and can be found on Etsy here.
✦ ✦ ✦
Here are some links of note, including a couple of new ones:
- NEW! The Birder Gift Shop, featuring Bohan Art on a handful of POD items, with more to come
- Bohan Art’s print-on-demand shop
- Bohan Art newsletter
- Bohan Art Blog RSS feed
- Bohan Art social media
If you’re interested in buying a different painting from this site, let me know. Prints, licensing and commissioned work are also available.
Leave a Reply