Watercolor portrait of Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea
Neotropical migrant Lowland wooded wetlands Uncommon Sweet-sweet song

Learn to identify the Prothonotary Warbler by ear. Master the "sweet sweet sweet sweet..." phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“sweet sweet sweet sweet...”

What the Prothonotary Warbler sounds like

A brilliantly colored, golden-yellow warbler of swampy woods. It has a deep yellow head and breast, with an olive-green back and blue-gray wings and tail. The under-tail coverts are white. It lacks wing bars or significant streaking, giving it a very clean, solid color appearance. Large black eyes stand out on the all-yellow face. Females are similar but a slightly duller yellow and more olive on the crown. It is the only eastern warbler that nests in cavities (holes in trees). Often seen relatively low in shaded, flooded forests, hopping along branches or stumps over water.

“sweet sweet sweet sweet...”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A loud series of clear, emphatic notes on one pitch, often transcribed as "sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet" repeated 5–10 times. The notes are loud, ringing, and have a slightly buzzy edge. Males sing this frequently in their swampy territories, and it carries well through the forest. The song is simple and monotonic but very bold. Often written as “sweet sweet sweet sweet...”.
Don't confuse with:The Yellow Warbler — yellow warblers are yellow overall but have olive-yellow wings (not blue-gray) and usually show some rusty streaks on the breast (males).

Where you'll hear it

Lowland wooded wetlands. Breeds in flooded bottomland forests, wooded swamps, cypress swamps, and shaded river or creek edges with standing water. Prefers areas with dead trees or snags for nesting cavities. Often found in forested swamps containing standing water and dense understory. During migration, can appear in any woodland (often near water). Winters in tropical mangrove swamps and flooded forests in Central America and northern South America.

Arrives on breeding grounds in spring (generally April in southern areas, May further north). Males immediately establish territories in swamp forests, often singing brightly colored among the greening trees. They nest in late spring/early summer, using natural cavities or old woodpecker holes a few feet above water. By late summer (August), they begin moving south. They are often one of the earlier warblers to leave. During fall migration (August-September), may stop in woodlands and wetlands along the Gulf Coast and Mexico. In wintering mangroves (November-March), they remain fairly quiet and inconspicuous. Come spring, they journey north again; their migration is relatively early and rapid as they head back to watery woods.

Similar species

Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warblers are yellow overall but have olive-yellow wings (not blue-gray) and usually show some rusty streaks on the breast (males).

Blue-winged Warbler

Blue-winged Warblers share the yellow body and gray wings but have distinct black line through the eye and white wingbars.

Prothonotary Warbler song FAQ

What does a Prothonotary Warbler sound like?
A loud series of clear, emphatic notes on one pitch, often transcribed as "sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet" repeated 5–10 times. The notes are loud, ringing, and have a slightly buzzy edge. Males sing this frequently in their swampy territories, and it carries well through the forest. The song is simple and monotonic but very bold. Listen for the "sweet sweet sweet sweet..." phrase.
How do I tell a Prothonotary Warbler from a Yellow Warbler by sound?
Yellow Warbler: Yellow Warblers are yellow overall but have olive-yellow wings (not blue-gray) and usually show some rusty streaks on the breast (males).; They also have thin black beaks and lack the blue-gray wings and tail of a Prothonotary.; Yellow Warblers prefer brushy thickets and are not cavity nesters..
When is the best time to hear a Prothonotary Warbler?
Arrives on breeding grounds in spring (generally April in southern areas, May further north). Males immediately establish territories in swamp forests, often singing brightly colored among the greening trees. They nest in late spring/early summer, using natural cavities or old woodpecker holes a few feet above water. By late summer (August), they begin moving south. They are often one of the earlier warblers to leave. During fall migration (August-September), may stop in woodlands and wetlands along the Gulf Coast and Mexico. In wintering mangroves (November-March), they remain fairly quiet and inconspicuous. Come spring, they journey north again; their migration is relatively early and rapid as they head back to watery woods.