Protonotaria citrea
The Prothonotary Warbler, *Protonotaria citrea*, is a striking jewel of North American wetlands, renowned for its brilliant golden-orange head and underparts. Measuring about 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing 12.5-16 g (0.44-0.56 ounces), males display an intense color that contrasts sharply with their olive-green back and blue-gray wings and tail, marked with distinctive black primary coverts and white undertail coverts. Females are similar but duller, with a more yellow-orang...
Forested wetlands, bottomland hardwood forests, and cypress swamps, typically at low elevations, often with standing or slow-moving water.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on caterpillars, beetles, flies, spiders, dragonflies, and caddisflies, supplemented occasionally with snails and other small invertebrates. They forage by gleaning insects from foliage and bark.
Prothonotary Warblers are diurnal and highly active foragers, often seen gleaning insects from low branches and foliage, frequently close to or over water. They exhibit a characteristic tail-wagging behavior while foraging. Males establish territories with persistent, loud singing to attract mate...
The Prothonotary Warbler's breeding range encompasses the southeastern United States, extending north along the Mississippi River valley to southern Wisconsin, Michigan, and into southern Ontario, Canada. Its western limits reach eastern Texas and Oklahoma, while to the east, it breeds along the ...
Least Concern
- The name "Prothonotary" refers to the yellow robes worn by papal clerks, reflecting the bird's brilliant golden plumage. - It is the only eastern North American warbler species that regularly nests in tree cavities, often repurposing old Downy Woodpecker or Carolina Chickadee holes. - Prothonot...