Prothonotary Warbler. Summary. Protection Protected Bird in New York State, protected federally.

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1 Prothonotary Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Scientific Name Family Name Protonotaria citrea (Boddaert, 1783) Parulidae Wood-Warblers Did you know? Prothonotary Warblers are one of two cavity nesting warblers. The other is Lucy's warbler. Photo credits: Nell Baldaccino Summary Protection Protected Bird in New York State, protected federally. Rarity G5, S2B This level of state protection means: Defined as a Protected Bird by New York State law. This species may not be hunted or taken at any time in New York. A global rarity rank of G5 means: Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. A state rarity rank of S2B means: Typically 6 to 20 breeding occurrences or very limited breeding acreage in New York State. Conservation Status in New York In New York State, Prothonotary Warblers are rare, locally breeding birds with few established breeding areas. The Prothonotary Warbler is a southern species which has been gradually moving northward; New York state being on the edge of its breeding range. According to the first Breeding Bird Atlas in the state, Prothonotary Warblers were reported in 22 blocks where seven blocks were reported with confirmed breeding and seven blocks were reported with probable breeding (Andrle and Carroll 1988). During the second Breeding Bird Atlas, there were a total of 11 reported blocks where four blocks were confirmed breeding and two blocks were probable breeding (McGowan and Corwin 2008). NYNHP Conservation Guide - Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

2 Short-term Trends Between 1980 and 1985, the first Breeding Bird Atlas in the state reported a total of 22 breeding blocks for Prothonotary Warbler. Fourteen of those blocks were recorded as probable or confirmed breeding (Andrle and Carroll 1988). During the second Breeding Bird Atlas, Prothonotary Warblers were recorded in a total of 11 blocks with probable or confirmed breeding in six blocks (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation 2005). There was a 43% decline in reported probable and confirmed breeding between the two atlases. It is not known if this finding is statistically significant, but it appears that there are fewer breeding Prothonotary Warblers in the state now than there were in the early 1980s. Prothonotary Warblers were not found in all established breeding areas, such as Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, during the second Breeding Bird Atlas (McGowan and Corwin 2008). Breeding Bird Survey data are too sparse in New York to determine trends (Sauer et al. 2007). Long-term Trends The first documented time Prothonotary Warblers attempted breeding in New York was in 1910 at a marsh near Cayuga Lake in Tompkins County (Levine 1998). During the 1920s and 1930s, the numbers of spring visitor records increased. In 1931, confirmed breeding was recorded at Oak Orchard Swamp with the discovery of five nests and at least eight singing males. Over the next few decades, breeding was recorded at various other locations in Central and Western New York. Then, during the 1970s, breeding was recorded on Long Island (Levine 1998). Since this species remains at the edge of its breeding range in New York, it is likely that it will be found breeding in one location one year and not found there the next (Andrle and Carroll 1988, McGowan and Corwin 2008). While consistent breeding in an area is relatively rare in New York, the range has expanded in the state over time and seems to be relatively stable over a long period of time. Breeding Bird Survey data are too sparse to determine trends for New York (Sauer et al. 2007). This species is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act implements various treaties and conventions between the U. S. and Canada, Japan, Mexico and the former Soviet Union for the protection of migratory birds. Under this Act, taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds, including nests or eggs, is unlawful unless specifically permitted by other regulations. Conservation and Management Threats The primary threat in most areas is loss of suitable habitat (McGowan and Corwin 2008). Loss of old growth forest associated with riparian habitats is detrimental because older trees are more likely to develop nesting cavities. Widespread drainage of required wetland habitat is also a significant threat. Conservation Strategies and Management Practices Prothonotary Warblers prefer more mature forests with tree cavities and snags. Trees that are most suitable have a diameter at breast height of 15 centimeters (6 inches). A permanently uncut buffer zone on both sides of streams to maintain or provide thick and shady vegetation along stream banks would be beneficial to this species. Buffer zones are NYNHP Conservation Guide - Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 2

3 recommended to be at least 90 meters (295 feet) wide (Bushman and Therres 1988 cited in NatureServe 2006). Since Prothonotary Warblers are also know to use nest boxes (NatureServe 2006), it may be beneficial to provide them in areas where natural tree cavities are in short supply. Research Needs Habitat Additional studies are needed to determine what techniques are best for monitoring Prothonotary Warbler populations. Consistent monitoring of breeding populations could provide important information on population recruitment and dynamics (NatureServe 2006). In New York, the Prothonotary Warbler breeding habitat is wooded areas near water. Preferred habitat includes flooded bottomland hardwood forests, cypress swamps, and along large lakes and rivers (McGowan and Corwin 2008). Nests are found in cavities of snags or living trees that are typically two to eight feet above the water (NatureServe 2006). They will also raise young in nest boxes (NatureServe 2006). Associated Ecological Communities Red Maple-blackgum Swamp A maritime, coastal, or inland hardwood swamp that occurs in poorly drained depressions, sometimes in a narrow band between a stream and upland. Red maple and blackgum are often codominant or blackgum may be the dominant tree. Pitch pine may occur on drier hummock islands in pine barrens settings. Silver Maple-ash Swamp A hardwood basin swamp that typically occurs in poorly-drained depressions or along the borders of large lakes, and less frequently in poorly drained soils along rivers. These sites are characterized by uniformly wet conditions with minimal seasonal fluctuations in water levels. The dominant trees are usually silver maple and green ash. Other Probable Associated Communities Coastal plain Atlantic white cedar swamp Floodplain forest Hemlock-hardwood swamp Inland Atlantic white cedar swamp Red maple-hardwood swamp Red maple-sweetgum swamp Rich mesophytic forest Identification Comments NYNHP Conservation Guide - Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 3

4 Identifying Characteristics When compared to other members of the Parulidae family, the Prothonotary Warbler is a reletively large (14 centimeters or 5.5 inches), plump, short-tailed, long-billed warbler. They have large, dark, prominent eyes. Males have a glolden yellow head and underparts that fade to white undertail coverts. Wings are blue-gray and lack wing bars. The tail is blue-gray with large white patches. Females are similar, but are duller and have a less golden head. Prothonotary Warblers nest in cavities. Nests are cup-shaped and hollow consisting of mosses, rootlets, twigs, and leaves. Nests are smoothly lined with fine grasses, leaf stems, and feathers. The inside diameter is 5.1 centimeters (2.0 inches) and the depth is 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches). The creamy-colored, oval to short oval eggs are boldly and liberally spotted and blotched with brown. The shell is smooth and somewhat glossy (NatureServe 2006). The average egg size is x millimeters (0.73 x 0.57 inches). The song is described as a series of loud, ringing "zweet" notes on one pitch. The Best Time to See Prothonotary Warblers are found in New York from early April to late September. The best time to observe these birds is mid to late June when the males are in full breeding plumage and are most likely to be holding territories and raising young. Present Breeding Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Similar Species The time of year you would expect to find Prothonotary Warbler in New York. Blue-Winged Warbler(Vermivora cyanoptera): Blue-winged Warblers have a black eye line while Prothonotary Warblers lack a black eye line. Yellow Warbler(Dendroica petechia): Yellow Warblers lack blue-gray wings and white undertail. Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Animalia Craniata Order Birds (Aves) Family Perching Birds (Passeriformes) Additional Resources Parulidae (Wood-Warblers) NYNHP Conservation Guide - Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 4

5 Links NatureServe Explorer EA Google Images References American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) Check-list of North American Birds, 6th edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas. 877 pp. Andrle, Robert F. and Janet R. Carroll, editors The atlas of breeding birds in New York State. Cornell University Press. 551 pp. Bent, A. C Life histories of North American wood warblers. U.S. Natl. Mus. Bull Washington, D.C. Blem, C. R., and L. B. Blem Cation concentrations and acidity in breeding ponds of the spotted salamander, AMBYSTOMA MACULATUM (Shaw) (Amphibia: Ambystomatidae), in Virginia. Brimleyana 17: Blem, C. R., and L. B. Blem Nest-box selection by Prothonotary Warblers. Journal of Field Ornithology 62: Blem, C.R., and L.B. Blem Composition and microclimate of Prothonotary Warbler nests. Auk 111(1): Brush, T Nesting ecology of Prothonotary Warblers in eastern Iowa: Report submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Unpublished. Bull, John Birds of New York State. Doubleday, Garden City, New York. 655 pp. Bushman, E. S., and G. D. Therres Habitat management guidelines for forest interior breeding birds of coastal Maryland. Maryland Dept. Natural Resources, Wildlife Tech. Publ pp. Carter, M., C. Hunter, D. Pashley, and D. Petit The Watch List. Bird Conservation, Summer 1998:10. Fleming, W. J. and D. R. Petit Modified milk carton nest box for studies of Prothonotary Warblers. Journal of Field Ornithology 57: Griscom, L., and A. Sprunt, Jr The warblers of America. Doubleday and Co., Garden City, New York. 302 pp. Harrison, C A Field Guide to the Nests, Eggs and Nestlings of North American Birds. Collins, Cleveland, Ohio. Harrison, H. H A field guide to western birds' nests. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 279 pp. Harrison, H.H Wood warblers' world. Simon and Schuster, New York. 335 pp. Keys, Jr.,J.; Carpenter, C.; Hooks, S.; Koenig, F.; McNab, W.H.; Russell, W.;Smith, M.L Ecological units of the eastern United States - first approximation (cd-rom), Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. GIS coverage in ARCINFO format, selected imagery, and map unit tables. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 5

6 Leberman, R. C Prothonotary Warbler. Pages in D. W. Brauning (editor). Atlas of breeding birds in Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Levine, E Bull's birds of New York State. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, NY. McGowan, K.J. and K. Corwin, eds The Second Atlas of Breeding Birds in New York State: Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY. 688 pp. National Geographic Society (NGS) Field guide to the birds of North America. Second edition. National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C. NatureServe NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA NatureServe NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 6.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available (Accessed: November 29, 2006 ). New York State Breeding Bird Atlas Final breeding bird distribution maps, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Wildlife Resources Center. Delmar, NY. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York State Breeding Bird Atlas Database. Division of Fish and Wildlife, Albany, NY. Petit, L. J Breeding biology of Prothonotary Warblers in riverine habitat in Tennessee. The Wilson Bulletin 101: Petit, L. J Adaptive tolerance of cowbird parasitism by Prothonotary Warblers: a consequence of nest-site limitation? Animal Behavior 41: Petit, L. J., W. J. Fleming, K. E. Petit, and D. R. Petit Nest-box use by Prothonotary Warblers (PROTONOTARIA CITREA) in riverine habitat. The Wilson Bulletin 99: Petit, L. J., et al Intersexual and temporal variation in foraging ecology of prothonotary warblers during the breeding season. Auk 107: See also Auk 107: Terres, J. K The Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Walkinshaw, L. H The Prothonotary Warbler, a comparison of nesting conditions in Tennessee and Michigan. The Wilson Bulletin 65: Walkinshaw, L. H Life-history of the Prothonotary Warbler. The Wilson Bulletin 65: New York Natural Heritage Program 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY Phone: (518) acris@nynhp.org This project is made possible with funding from: - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program - Division of Lands & Forests, Department of Environmental Conservation - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Information for this guide was last updated on Aug 10, 2017 This guide was authored by NYNHP Conservation Guide - Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) 6