Dennis Demcheck
This small songbird with a large name is also known as the Swamp Canary. This people-friendly warbler is often found nesting near patios and backyards in wooded neighborhoods not far from water. Their song sounds like “sweet sweet sweet sweet.”
Description: Bright yellow-golden warbler with yellow underparts; blue gray wings and tail; back yellow-green; black eyes and bill. Females resemble males but overall duller in color.
When: Winters along eastern coast of Central America into Venezuela and Colombia, South America. The Prothonotary arrives in Louisiana during spring migration to nest; leaves during fall migration; usually all have left by late October.
Where: Everywhere in southeastern United States except the tip of Florida, upward to Wisconsin and New York. Their population is declining due to habitat destruction.
Breeding: This warbler is a cavity nester (or tree holes) frequently using old downy woodpecker holes; however, they can make their own holes in trees that border swamps, rivers, ponds or lakes. Interesting nest sites have also included a pocket in an old coat and an empty tin can.
Feeding: The Swamp Canary eats insects and snails but will supplement their diet with seeds, nectar or fruit. Nesting near water provides an abundance of mayflies.
Interesting Facts: The name Prothonotary (‘notary’ is part of this word) refers to the official scribes of the Catholic Church who wore bright yellow robes. Legend has that it was named by the Louisiana French Creoles when they saw this bird in the swamps and bayous.
The Swamp Canary frequently nests over water, and the poor flying fledglings could become a potential meal for large-mouth bass or turtles. To avoid this scenario, the Prothonotary fledglings have learned to swim to get out of harm's way.
While bird watching in Tickfaw State Park, I saw a beautiful male Prothonotary warbler with a green caterpillar in his beak. As he attempted to eat the caterpillar, it wrapped around his bill in a vice-like hold. In an odd twist of fate the hapless caterpillar had become the aggressor and taken control. Despite repeated head shaking, the Prothonotary couldn’t get the caterpillar muzzle off. After a couple minutes of beating the caterpillar, and what appeared to be his bill, against the boardwalk railing, the caterpillar lost its grip and was eaten. How fragile these birds' existence is when their prey can turn on them!
