warbler

noun

war·​bler ˈwȯr-blər 

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

2

: someone or something that warbles

especially : a person who sings : singer, songster

Adding to the impressive lineup of warblers is Broadway superstar Kristin Chenowith and super cabaret singer Morgan James singing the music of Gershwin.

—Ken Glickman

Illustration of warbler

• warbler 2a

Examples of warbler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Up the odds by viewing a migration Traveling to witness a migration — such as the warblers that visit northwest Ohio each spring, an event celebrated as the Biggest Week in American Birding festival — can reduce the risk of disappointment inherent in wildlife watching. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025

The casualties were mostly warblers, but also thrushes, sparrows and others. —Vincent Alban, New York Times, 21 May 2025

On warblers and mitochondria At first glance, the standard ways of defining a species seem to work well. —Elay Shech, The Conversation, 30 May 2025

Yet under two of the most common scientific definitions of species, the biological and phylogenetic species concepts, blue-winged and golden-winged warblers are considered the same species. —Elay Shech, The Conversation, 30 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing warbler

• Kirtland's warbler
• prothonotary warbler
• wood warbler

Kids Definition

warbler

noun

war·​bler ˈwȯr-blər 

1

: one that warbles

2

a

: any of numerous small Old World songbirds many of which are noted for their melodious song and which are closely related to the thrushes

b

: any of numerous small brightly colored American songbirds with a usually weak and unmusical song