Species BirdsProthonotary Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

CommonBird
Illustration of Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

The Prothonotary Warbler is the only eastern warbler that nests in natural tree cavities and nest boxes, earning it the nickname 'golden swamp warbler.' Its blazing golden-yellow head and breast make it one of the most brilliant songbirds of bottomland swamps. It gained notoriety beyond birding when its nesting behavior helped crack the Alger Hiss spy case in 1948.

Habitat
Bottomland hardwood swamps and flooded wooded areas
Diet
Insects, snails, small crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates
How common
Common

Recent Prothonotary Warbler sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Prothonotary Warbler? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant or animal and get an instant ID, rarity, and field notes — building your personal nature collection as you go.

Get Huck — free

More birds

Acorn Woodpecker
Acorn Woodpecker
Melanerpes formicivorus
American Avocet
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
American Bittern
American Bittern
Botaurus lentiginosus
American Black Duck
American Black Duck
Anas rubripes
American Coot
American Coot
Fulica americana
American Crow
American Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos
American Flamingo
American Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber
American Golden-Plover
American Golden-Plover
Pluvialis dominica