Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea), Gilbert Water Ranch, Maricopa County

This Prothonotary Warbler was discovered and photographed by Brendon Grice on 09 May 2008 at the Gilbert Water Ranch.

Click here for a map of the exact location.

Prothonotary Warlber is a rare transient in Arizona but occurs annually. 

Prothonotary is a large, brightly colored, slow moving warbler.  It has a long black bill, completely orange-yellow head, beady black eye, blue gray wings and white undertail coverts.  In flight the large white tail spots on the short tail are conspicuous.  This bird is probably a female because of the green on the top of the head and because the head is not the intense orange of the male.  Both sexes however are very brightly colored. 

Prothonotary Warlber is a sketch details species.  Submitting photos to AZFO does not constitute reporting a rare bird for consideration as an official record. To ensure that a record becomes official, details or photos of Sketch Details Species should be sent to the Editors of North American Birds and a full report of Review Species should be submitted to the Arizona Bird Committee. Most rare birds are under _documented and subsequent observers of a rarity are always encouraged to submit reports and additional photos, especially for birds that are challenging to identify.

09 May 2008, photos by Brendon Grice