# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 24 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Prothonotary Warbler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Prothonotary_Warbler_%28female%29_Sabine_Woods_TX_2018-04-21_08-32-57_%2828100602238%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bettina Arrigoni, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prothonotary_Warbler_%28female%29_Sabine_Woods_TX_2018-04-21_08-32-57_%2828100602238%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Parulidae - **Genus:** Protonotaria ## 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 - **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. - **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. - **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 - **Depends on:** [Downy Woodpecker](https://www.snappit.app/explore/downy-woodpecker) (*Dryobates pubescens*) — Often uses abandoned cavities for nesting. - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat-snake) (*Pantherophis obsoletus*) — Predates on eggs and nestlings. - **Eaten by:** [Cooper's Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cooper-s-hawk) (*Accipiter cooperii*) — Hunts adult warblers in their habitat. - **Hunts:** Eastern Tent Caterpillar (*Malacosoma americanum*) — Preys on caterpillars found on leaves. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## 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 ## Where to spot - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Downtown Quincy Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-quincy-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [Lock and Dam No. 12](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-12) — Iowa, US · Historic Site - [Lock and Dam No. 21](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-21) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Louisiana Purchase State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/louisiana-purchase-state-park) — Arkansas, US · State Park - [William O'Brien State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-obrien-state-park) — Minnesota, US · State Park [View all places to see Prothonotary Warbler](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/prothonotary-warbler) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Prothonotary Warbler: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prothonotary-warbler)