15 June 2025
Wooden-warblers, belonging to the massive household Parulidae, are stunning, dainty birds distinctive to the Americas. The household has 115 species unfold between North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean—56 species could be present in america and Canada.
Of these 56 species solely two nest in cavities: the prothonotary warbler in jap North America and Lucy’s warbler within the West.
The prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is arguably essentially the most beautiful of all of the wood-warblers with a glowing yellow head and chest and grey wings and tail. As a woodland swamp specialist, he prefers to breed the place previous bushes stand in water and woody shrubs overhang it. An ideal instance of his habitat could be discovered at Conneaut Marsh–McMichael/Brown Hill Rd in Crawford County, PA.
The prothonotary male arrives within the spring forward of the females and chooses a number of potential nest websites. He sings from the opening to say his territory and appeal to a mate.
He additionally locations moss inside earlier than the females arrive. His woman provides extra after she’s chosen one in every of his websites.
These two are selecting a nest field.
When the infants hatch each dad and mom feed the younger. If undisturbed, the nestlings fledge at 10 days previous.
Go to woody swamps in June to seek out him. Don’t delay; this warbler fledges quickly.
p.s. In keeping with Wikipedia, the Francis Beidler Forest in South Carolina has the densest recognized inhabitants of prothonotary warblers and is presently house to greater than 2,000 pairs. A very good place to look in the event you’re close by.
