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Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

The Prothonotary Warbler is a small, bright yellow bird that loves to sing! It builds its nest in tree holes and can often be found near water. These cheerful birds are known for their beautiful songs.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Prothonotary Warbler is a small, striking songbird with a brilliant golden-orange head and underparts contrasting sharply with olive-gray wings and a short, dark tail. Males are brighter, while females have slightly duller yellow plumage. It is often the only warbler with such intense golden color.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyParulidaeGenusProtonotaria
Prothonotary Warbler
Photo: Bettina ArrigoniCC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgesinging trait badgecolorful trait badge
Prothonotary Warbler

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

24

Interesting facts

It gets its name from bright golden robes worn by medieval church officials. Wow!

Males sometimes build 'dummy' nests to impress females during courtship. Wow!

Their loud, ringing song is like a repetitive 'sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet' sound. Wow!

These tiny birds migrate thousands of miles each year to warmer climates. Wow!

Special abilities

Ability

Cavity Nest Builder

Prothonotary Warbler can build nests inside old woodpecker holes or natural tree crevices because they are one of the few warblers to do so.

Ability

Wetland Wanderer

Prothonotary Warbler has strong feet that help them hop and climb through dense, watery vegetation to find food in swamps and flooded forests.

Ability

Insect Snatcher

Prothonotary Warbler can dart and weave through trees with agility, using its sharp eyesight to snatch insects from leaves and bark.

Measurements & details

Length
13-14 cm
Wingspan
21-23 cm
Weight
0.01-0.014 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Speed
40 km/h
Clutch Size
3-7
Incubation
12-14 days
Migration Distance
4000 km

Diet & Feeding

These small birds primarily eat insects and spiders, helping control bug populations in wetlands.

Primary Foods

  • Caterpillars
  • Beetles
  • Spiders
  • Mosquitoes
  • Dragonflies
  • Snails

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Prothonotary Warbler?

Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How long is Prothonotary Warbler?

13-14 cm

What is Prothonotary Warbler's wingspan?

21-23 cm

How much does Prothonotary Warbler weigh?

0.01-0.014 kg

How long does Prothonotary Warbler live?

2-5 years

How fast can Prothonotary Warbler move?

40 km/h

What does Prothonotary Warbler eat?

These small birds primarily eat insects and spiders, helping control bug populations in wetlands.

Where is Prothonotary Warbler usually found?

Wetlands

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