The Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) is native to North America. It breeds primarily in the boreal forests of Canada, especially in regions from Newfoundland to Alberta, and in the northeastern United States, such as Maine and Wisconsin. During the winter, it migrates to the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Central America.

The Palm Warbler occupies different habitats based on its seasonal movements. During the breeding season, it is commonly found in open coniferous and mixed forests, often favoring bogs, marshy areas, and the edges of water bodies where there is an abundance of low, dense vegetation. In its winter habitat, it is found in a variety of open and semi-open areas, including fields, marshes, and coastal regions with shrubs and scattered trees. It adapts well to different vegetation types, ranging from pine savannas to mangroves.

The Palm Warbler is an insectivorous bird, playing a role in controlling insect populations, particularly in its breeding grounds. It forages mainly by gleaning insects from vegetation but will also consume berries and seeds during migration and in winter. Its ecological niche involves occupying the lower canopy and ground-level strata, contributing to its ecological role as both a predator of small insects and as prey for larger predators.