An Amazing Experience With The Prothonotary Warbler

A bird on many birders' life list to see the Prothonotary Warbler

The Prothonotary Warbler: A Birding Delight

The Prothonotary Warbler is a beautiful and unique bird that is a sought-after sight for many birders. With its bright yellow plumage and its habit of nesting in old woodpecker holes, this warbler is a joy to see. I was blessed with an experience with one particular warbler in early May. Here is the story of my experience and some information from various sources about the warblers and their habitat so that you may find your own story with P. Warbler. For more images of the experience see our website.

Prothonotary Warbler perched on a branch

The Prothonotary Warbler is a beautiful and unique bird that is a sought-after sight for many birders. With its bright yellow plumage and its habit of nesting in old woodpecker holes, this warbler is a joy to see. I was blessed with an experience with one particular warbler in early May. Here is the story of my experience and some information from various sources about the warblers and their habitat so that you may find your own story with P. Warbler.

Mr. Prothonotary Warbler insisted on having my attention one morning in early May. I had been out photographing American Beavers and was tired, ready to get in my car and go home, and I bodily, I was ready to have breakfast--I was hungry. I was loading my camera and filming gear into the back of my SUV and I heard the persistent call of a warbler.

Protonotary Warbler singing while perched on a long iron gate

This little warbler (P. Warbler) kept calling so I stopped loading my gear and I walked over near where the warbler was calling from. He was about chest height off of the ground singing from the branch of a PawPaw tree near the trail entrance for the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park (C&O Canal) and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT). P. Warbler was navigating between flax plants and the branch on the tree, popping the seed pods open and eating the seeds. He was beautiful and so was the song that he began singing as I watched him.

I had never seen more than a fleeting glimpse of a Prothonotary Warbler before. This experience captivated me and I was fully engrossed, however, I also wanted to document the experience. I went back to my car to get one of my cameras. I watched and photographed P. Warbler as he worked between the tree and the stands of flax. He landed on the gate at the trailhead and began singing his call song again. I watched him as he hopped and then called as he moved along the length of the gate. When he reached the end of the gate he flew down to the opening at the end of the hollow tube gate. It was then that I saw that this end was plugged and there was a fruit rollup foil wrapper sticking out of the end of the gate resembling a small silver and purple flag as it rustled in the morning air. Then I heard the calls of the baby birds as the male warbler fed his baby chics, in the nest at the end of the gate. Then I got it. This was the warbler's nesting site. Just a few feet from the trail that 1,000's of people walk on as they make their way here where the two trails meet at the southern terminus of South Mountain, entrance to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Park, and the beginning of the Maryland portion of the Appalachian Trail.

At the intersection of two National Trails, The C&O Canal and the AT a state road, a four lane highway, and access road for the CSX railway these warblers made their home and were raising the next generation of Prothonotary warblers. It was an amazing 20 minutes that I watched and listened as the warbler went about his tasks of gathering food and caring for his offspring.

I have never seen the warbler again. I hear calls from time to time as I enter the trail. Hopefully the chics were raised into maturity and that the gate proved to be a safe place to raise their young (other than the jostling of the gate being opened and having it bang against the post as the gate swings open.

Here is some information that I put together regarding Prothonotary Warblers, their nesting habits and how you might venture out and see some for yourself.

About the Protonotary Warbler

Characteristics

The Prothonotary Warbler is a medium-sized warbler, about 5 inches long and weighing about 0.7 ounces. It is bright golden yellow on the head, breast, and belly, with olive-green wings and tail. The male has a darker bill than the female.

This warbler is one of only two cavity-nesting warblers in North America. It typically nests in old woodpecker holes, but it will also use other cavities, such as those made by kingfishers or flickers. The female lays 4-6 eggs, which hatch after about 12 days.

Characteristics

The Prothonotary Warbler is a medium-sized warbler, about 5 inches long and weighing about 0.7 ounces. It is bright golden yellow on the head, breast, and belly, with olive-green wings and tail. The male has a darker bill than the female.

This warbler is one of only two cavity-nesting warblers in North America. It typically nests in old woodpecker holes, but it will also use other cavities, such as those made by kingfishers or flickers. The female lays 4-6 eggs, which hatch after about 12 days.

Habitat

The Prothonotary Warbler breeds in wooded swamps, flooded bottomland forests, and forests near lakes and streams. It prefers areas with standing or slow-moving water, as it often forages for insects and other invertebrates in this habitat.

Range

The Prothonotary Warbler breeds in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. In the winter, it migrates to Central and South America.

Population

The Prothonotary Warbler population has declined by approximately 40% in recent years due to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, it is still considered a common bird in parts of its range.

Why is it on many birders' life lists?

The Prothonotary Warbler is a beautiful and unique bird that is not easy to see. Its bright yellow plumage and its habit of nesting in old woodpecker holes make it a sought-after sight for many birders. In addition, this warbler is declining in population, so seeing one is a special experience.

If you're lucky enough to see a Prothonotary Warbler, be sure to take a moment to appreciate its beauty. This is a bird that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Here are some tips for finding Prothonotary Warblers:

Look for them in wooded swamps, flooded bottomland forests, and forests near lakes and streams.
Listen for their distinctive song, which is a series of high-pitched whistles.
Look for them foraging for insects and other invertebrates in the water or on branches.
If you find a Prothonotary Warbler nest, be sure to stay back and give the birds plenty of space.

The Prothonotary Warbler breeds in wooded swamps, flooded bottomland forests, and forests near lakes and streams. It prefers areas with standing or slow-moving water, as it often forages for insects and other invertebrates in this habitat.

Range

The Prothonotary Warbler breeds in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. In the winter, it migrates to Central and South America.

Population

The Prothonotary Warbler population has declined by approximately 40% in recent years due to habitat loss and fragmentation. However, it is still considered a common bird in parts of its range.

Why is it on many birders' life lists?

The Prothonotary Warbler is a beautiful and unique bird that is not easy to see. Its bright yellow plumage and its habit of nesting in old woodpecker holes make it a sought-after sight for many birders. In addition, this warbler is declining in population, so seeing one is a special experience. If you're lucky enough to see a Prothonotary Warbler, be sure to take a moment to appreciate its beauty. This is a bird that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Here are some tips for finding Prothonotary Warblers:

Look for them in wooded swamps, flooded bottomland forests, and forests near lakes and streams.
Listen for their distinctive song, which is a series of high-pitched whistles.
Look for them foraging for insects and other invertebrates in the water or on branches.
If you find a Prothonotary Warbler nest, be sure to stay back and give the birds plenty of space.

I hope you enjoyed learning about the Prothonotary Warbler. If you're ever lucky enough to see one, be sure to take a moment to appreciate its beauty and drop me a line to let me know of your experience jcanan @ mrm.eco