Illustration of warbler
- warbler 2a
plural warblers
1
a
: any of numerous small chiefly Old World oscine birds formerly all of one family (Sylviidae) many of which are noted songsters and are closely related to the thrushes
So, why are European warblers drab? Well, they accomplish the same thing, males compete with other males and attract females, but they do it through their songs instead. They tend to be prolific songsters. So European warblers just chose a different type of communication.—Irby Lovette, quoted at AllAboutBirds.org
b
: any of numerous small brightly colored American oscine birds (families Parulidae and Peucedramidae) with a usually weak and unmusical song
The American warblers are incredible bits of life, small and active, varied and colorful. … Because these birds are so tiny, so hyperactive, so good at hiding behind leaves, most people never see them at all. But once you start looking for them, warblers are like magical prizes that come into your life as a reward for paying close enough attention.—Kenn Kaufman
called also wood warbler
Cite this Entry
“Warbler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/warbler. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.
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