Prothonotary Warbler (PROW)
Protonotaria citrea
Range
The Prothonotary Warbler is rare in New England, but can be found in some areas of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Their breeding range extends as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas. This species migrates as far south as the northern edge of South America during the winter months.
Additional Maps
Identification
This species is a fairly large bright yellow wood-warbler with a pointed bill and short tail. The bird has a yellow head and belly with a black eye, greenish back, and gray wings and tail. The lower belly and undertail is white. The male’s head is a brighter orange-yellow, and the female has a duller yellow head washed with green. The song of the Prothonotary Warbler is one simple syllable repeated 4–14 times in a series. There are two syllables that may be used, and sometimes male birds sing consecutive series and use each of the syllables. The song is all on one slurred high pitch. Male Prothonotary Warblers sometimes sing a more complex song when interacting with females. This song begins rapidly and slows down at the end: chwee-chwee-chwee- chwee, teer, teer, teer or che-wee—che-wee-chee-chee, chee-chee-che-wee—che-wee. The primary call of this species is a loud and sharp tschip and the secondary call is a quieter tsip.
Habitat
This species shows evidence of being area sensitive, avoiding smaller forested areas and preferring larger areas of forest. The key features of Prothonotary Warbler habitat are the presence of water near a forested area and suitable cavity nest sites. Nests are typically placed near large bodies of water that are standing or slow-moving. Some examples of nesting sites include seasonally flooded bottomland hardwood forest, bald cypress swamps, and along large lakes or rivers. Habitats are often low elevation, flat, and shaded with sparse understories.
Conservation Status
- Listed as Vulnerable by Alabama State Species of Greatest Conservation Need
- Listed as Stable by American Bird Conservancy
- Listed as Vulnerable by Arkansas State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 1609)
- Listed as Vulnerable by Georgia State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg A-4)
- Listed as Least Concern but Decreasing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Listed as Vulnerable by Louisiana State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 24)
- Listed as Vulnerable by Maryland State of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 43)
- Listed as Vulnerable by Missouri State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 36)
- Listed as Imperiled by the New York Natural Heritage Program
- Listed as Vulnerable by North Carolina State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 49)
- On the Conservation Concern: “D” Yellow Watch List by Partners in Flight
- Listed as Vulnerable by Pennsylvania State Species of Greatest Conservation Need(pg 356)
- Listed as Vulnerable by South Carolina State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 6-18)
- Listed as Vulnerable by Texas State Species of Greatest Conservation Need (pg 38)
Threats to Conservation
The biggest threat to the Prothonotary Warbler population is degradation of habitat. Their primary breeding habitat, bottomland hardwood forests, have been logged and converted to farmland. Some forest management practices include the removal of dead trees and alteration of waterflow, which can remove potential nesting sites and prevent seasonal flooding that this species may rely on. In some regions, changing water flow directions can also change the location where this bird breeds.
On wintering grounds, the destruction of mangrove habitats potentially poses an even greater threat. Mangrove forests in Latin America have been destroyed due to coastal development, agriculture, aquaculture, and highway construction.
Funding Opportunities
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- America the Beautiful Challenge
- Carolina Bird Club Conservation Grants
- Community Forest Program
- ConocoPhillips Partnership for Public and Private Land Managers
- Conservation Nation Grant Program
- Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program
- Delaware River Program
- Delaware River Watershed Initiative
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Florida’s State Wildlife Grants Program
- Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative Small Grant Program
- Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program
- Natural Areas Research Grant
- Natural Legacy Program
- Nature Works
- Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant
- North American Wetlands Conservation
- Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund
- Northeast Wilderness Trust
- Partners for Fish and Wildlife
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Conservation Grant Projects
- Texas State Wildlife Grants
- The Lawrence Foundation- Environmental Grants
- The Migratory Bird Program
- Tribal Wildlife Grants
- Wildlife Habitat Grant Program
- Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program
General Management Guides
Regional Management Guides
- Birds of Nebraska
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Kansas Wildlife Action Plan
- Minnesota State Wildlife Action Plan
- Missouri State Wildlife Action Plan
- Oklahoma City Audubon Society
- Prothonotary Warbler Minnesota Conservation Summary
- Recovery Strategy for the Prothonotary Warbler (Prothonotaria citrea) in Canada
- South Dakota Species Highlight
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Wisconsin Prothonotary Warbler Species Guidance
- Wisconsin State Wildlife Action Plan