This Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) is standing watch over his nest, perched on this sprinkler head at a lakeside home in Greenville, Texas. It wouldn’t be so interesting if it were a House Sparrow or a Common Grackle…but you don’t see Prothonotary Warblers just anywhere!!

Prothonotary Warblers always make their homes near water, typically in wooded swamps or forests near a body of water. They nest in tree cavities which is unusual for a wood warbler, according to Cornell’s All About Birds profile.

This female is peering out from her very own candle! I had the opportunity to see this bird in person and catch a glimpse of her 5-egg clutch inside the candle. The funny thing is, this candle is at a home that sits in prime Prothonotary habitat…and the bird chose the candle   The eggs have now hatched and you can see for yourself at Cornell’s Camclickrs site.

The camera was setup just in time. I was driving away when I received a phone call telling me that the first egg had hatched.

This picture is bad, but does show the male Prothonotary on a visit just prior to the first egg-hatch. He had just delivered some food to the hungry female.

The Prothonotary Warbler is listed as Endangered in Canada due to habitat loss. Same story, different bird. For anyone following my articles here at the Lounge, you should see a pattern developing here. Habitat loss. Most of the time it is due to destruction by humans. Ugh. First thought that comes to mind is that my house sits where habitat used to be. This is why I keep speaking out to encourage everyone to give a little habitat back. We can share our homes, schoolyards and businesses. It is especially important to preserve or restore habitat for species like the Prothonotary Warbler whose requirements are so particular. That said, Cornell’s site offers the encouraging news that these warblers will make their nests in a variety of cavities as long as their other needs are met. Case in point: see candle above