Prothonotary Pursuit

More images of the prothonotary warbler (edit: male has wrist bands and is bright yellow; the female is not banded and is slightly darker):

Eating a crane fly

As Anni mentioned in the comments section of the last post, the name "prothonotary" refers to clerks of the Catholic church whose robes were bright yellow. Prothonotaries are one of only two warbler species that nest in cavities (the other is Lucy's warbler). Nesting boxes are also utilized, which is what they are currently using at Bluebonnet Swamp. The prothonotary lives in swampy areas and bottomland forests. Their diet consists mostly of insects such as crane flies, moths, beetles and spiders. They may also supplement with seeds, berries or nectar. The male selects a nesting site and entices the female by laying moss in the cavity or box. If she accepts the site, she continues to line the nest with other soft plant material. The male protects her while she finishes nest building and laying eggs. During breeding season, both males and females are extremely territorial and can become snappy.

Sharing with
Wild Bird Wednesday
I'd Rather B Birdin'