A Prothonotary Warbler at Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. All photos by Edward O’Connor.

Nature’s Narcissist

The Prothonotary Warbler

At some point over the long course of its evolution, the Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) developed the peculiar habit of staring at its reflected image in the still waters of the swamps that it calls home. This mirror gazing does nothing to advance either of the bird’s main aims in life, which are to eat and reproduce. We have to assume that the Prothonotary, like many of its…