Wildlife of the James

Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)

by Gabe Silver
JRA Environmental Educator

The prothonotary warbler is a striking sight in the swamps and bottomlands along the James River this time of year. This warbler…

• Arrives on the James from its wintering grounds in April to begin nesting.
• Is one of only two warblers that nests in tree cavities.
• Prefers to nest over water for protection from predators.
• The male will typically build several nests and the female will choose and complete one
• Raises up to two broods per season, with young fledging only 11 days after hatching.
• Is a pugnacious defender of territory in the breeding season but spends winters in gregarious social flocks in mangrove swamps and other habitat in Central and South America
• Is named for clerks in the Catholic Church (called protonotarii) who wore golden robes, and and was once known as the golden swamp warbler.
• Is threatened by destruction of wetlands and mangrove swamps.

To see a prothonotary warbler this May, try going to Deep Bottom Park in Henrico County, only 20 minutes from Richmond east on Route 5. The tidal creek to the east of this park is home to many nesting pairs of this brilliant little bird. Look for the boxes placed on metal poles in the creek by ornithologists from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Learn More:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds Website >>
The Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center >>

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