Prothonotary Warbler Research in the Spotlight
Pittsburg State University Features PROW Research in New Article
The tiny golden Prothonotary Warbler (PROW) spends the winter months in the country of Colombia in South America, travels through Central America during spring and fall migration, and has traditionally nested in the southeastern United States. The range map for the beautiful bird is expanding north and into eastern Kansas and Missouri, however, and numerous volunteers and organizations are working together to provide nesting boxes for these amazing birds:
- Burroughs Audubon Society of Greater Kansas City
- Pittsburg State University
- Johnson County K-State Extension Master Naturalists
- Sperry-Galligar Audubon Society
- Burroughs Audubon Society
- Ozark Trails Missouri Master Naturalists
These partners are working with Gabe McClain, Graduate Teaching Assistant, and Dr. Andy George, Associate Professor at Pittsburg State University, to study the migration flight path for these warblers whose population overall is declining. Thanks to the work of naturalists who are providing nesting boxes in Kansas and Missouri, the population of these golden “Swamp Candles” is on the increase locally.
Pittsburg State University published a wonderful article with photos describing the ongoing Prothonotary Warbler research in our area. Read it here.