As I was resting on the sofa in my living room, I heard a light tap on the window. Oh, no, I thought. We’ve had times before that a bird has flown into the window and either died or been stunned. I expected to see a poor thing lying lifeless on the deck, but instead was surprised by fluttering. The little guy flew to a nearby branch and stayed long enough for me to identify him as a Prothonotary Warbler.
I studied this swamp beauty when I was writing Swamp Song (which has yet to find a publisher).
Prothonotary Warbler
Prothonotary warblers live in wooded swamps and forage above slow moving water. They hop among branches of downed trees searching for insects and snails to eat. They are a bright yellow color with blue-gray wings and tail. The male will select a nesting cavity in holes left behind by woodpeckers and chickadees. Prothonotary warblers are declining due to habitat loss. Prothonotary warblers got their names from the bright yellow robes worn by clerks for the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church known as prothonotaries.
From Swamp Song by Margaret Simon
I am on the council for the T.E.C.H.E. Project as an education consultant, so I called our president who is a biologist and knows about birds. The conversation went something like this:
Me: Patti, I know some people believe their parents come back to them in cardinals, but I think my dad is visiting me in a Prothonotary Warbler.
Patti: Yeah. Yeah?
Me: No, really. This male bird is coming to my window and fluttering wildly. I’m afraid he’s going to hurt himself. What should I do?
Patti: It’s likely a young juvenile who sees himself in the reflection. They are very territorial. He’s stupid. He thinks he sees another bird.
Me: So, he’s just strutting his stuff!
Patti: Yeah, he’s showing off for ya’!
My first thought was my dad was not that kind of guy. Showy. No strut. But he was one who liked to tell jokes and hear people laugh. So before I chased the bird away from the danger of the window, I looked up at his sunny self and smiled! Thanks, Dad!
Reflections on the Teche 
Your call to Patti was amazing to read!
How wonderful to have a special visit and to feel your father’s presence.
I have heard about cardinals, I like the idea of your dad being a sunny warbler instead. Very sweet write.
This is a beautiful bird – I am not at all familiar with it! What a blessing to have him appear at your window. I, too, believe your Dad is stopping by to say hello!
We always say my inlaws are visiting when male and female cardinals visit our windows…we had a female try very hard to get in over a period of six weeks this spring. Your warbler is beautiful! I love the yellow plummage.
Margaret, This is beautiful. I find birds to be enchanting, and so often I have truly felt a spiritual connection related to birds. You wouldn’t know from the title, but in my book Nobody Kills Uncle Buster and Gets Away with it, Golden-Winged Warblers play a very central role in the plot and the healing. I love that this warbler affected your plot and your healing.
What a special visitor. And I wholeheartedly believe that God sends us messages to let us know everything will be ok. My family’s message came in the form of a butterfly! I hope you are feeling better now that you are back home!
Love this story, Margaret. That was a very special visit. 💛
You know I love a bird story, Margaret… these ethereal winged messengers never fail to lift my spirits. They captivate me endlessly. Not to mention the symbolism… a “prothonotary” warbler seems quite officially dispatched on this mission of ministry. A special representative indeed.
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Margaret, such a beautiful and healing piece you wrote. I agree with you that the beautiful warbler was your dad, coming for a visit. He might come again as a warbler, or a different bird, or maybe as a butterfly. I believe your father is coming to check on you and to tell you he is well. Interesting facts about your warbler. I have always felt a special connection to birds. I watch, talk, and listen to them all the time. Whenever I hear a male cardinal singing, I always thank him for serenating me. Yesterday, and today I noticed a male and a female house finch that looked small. I asked them if they were juveniles. Today, their larger and brighter dad came with them. Thank you for sharing.