Birding Late April: Spring Migration has Started! Hooded and Prothonotary Warblers!

It's been an exciting start to spring migration in Madison, Wisconsin: First with a Hooded Warbler at a local park and then an early Prothonotary Warbler at another park. Spring is also a great time to witness courtship/mating behaviors in the birds. This video shows 2 male Red-bellied Woodpeckers displaying for a female and a male Wood Duck "protecting" his female from 2 other males. Also a group of male Brown-headed Cowbirds displaying for each other.

[@anitacoogan4822]

Loved all the footage cannot even pick a favorite part. I am so happy today, the catbird with missing right toes , that has been staying in my tiny NJ condo yard for at least 6 years, returned today. I quickly got his treats which are jelly/berries in small ceramic bowls that I place in middle of one of my bird baths (water allows the bowls of berries/jelly not to get ants). He/she usually comes back around 5/5 but I've been noticing a few dead and injured catbirds in Newark last few days so was worried as he is old & missing toes. I was over the moon when he returned. Last year on he lost entire tail by a cat 8/29, regrew whole tail by 9/6, and left early on 9/27 for the long trip to South America normally stays longer.

[@richardpontius8210]

Great spring footage.

[@lizhall2961]

Super clip and audio!❤😊

[@rerolley]

We saw our first Oriole today! Our Thrashers have not returned yet.