Perch Supply
Wood-warblers (Parulidae)

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea. Insects and snails from flooded swamp forest.

Wood-warblers (Parulidae)Prothonotary WarblerProtonotaria citrea
Scientific name
Protonotaria citrea
Length
5.1 in
Weight
0.4–0.6 oz
Nest
Tree cavity or nest box standing in or over water
Entrance hole
1 1/8 in
Clutch
3–7 eggs
Incubation
12–14 days
Broods
1–2 per season

Identification

  • Glowing golden-yellow head and breast
  • Blue-grey wings and tail
  • Long black bill

Voice

Ringing, even 'sweet-sweet-sweet-sweet'.

Diet and feeding

Insects and snails from flooded swamp forest.

What do prothonotary warblers eat? · Best feeder for prothonotary warblers

Prothonotary Warblers by state and province

RegionStatusNesting
AlabamaSummer breederMarch–June
ArkansasSummer breederApril–June
DelawareSummer breederApril–June
FloridaSummer breederMarch–June
GeorgiaSummer breederMarch–June
IllinoisSummer breederApril–June
IndianaSummer breederApril–June
IowaSummer breederApril–June
KansasSummer breederApril–June
KentuckySummer breederApril–June
LouisianaSummer breederMarch–June
MarylandSummer breederApril–June
MinnesotaSummer breederMay–June
MississippiSummer breederMarch–June
MissouriSummer breederApril–June
New JerseySummer breederApril–June
North CarolinaSummer breederApril–June
OhioSummer breederApril–June
OklahomaSummer breederApril–June
OntarioSummer breederMay–June
South CarolinaSummer breederMarch–June
TennesseeSummer breederApril–June
TexasSummer breederMarch–June
VirginiaSummer breederApril–June
West VirginiaSummer breederApril–June
WisconsinSummer breederMay–June

Frequently asked

What do prothonotary warblers eat?

Insects and snails from flooded swamp forest. At feeders: none — a swamp nest box is the draw.

How big is a Prothonotary Warbler?

5.1 in long and 0.4–0.6 oz.

Do prothonotary warblers use birdhouses?

Yes — a 1 1/8 in entrance, 4 × 4 in floor, mounted 3–6 ft over water.

Sources

  1. Prothonotary Warbler — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  2. Prothonotary Warbler life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
  3. Prothonotary Warbler — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
  4. NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.