Parkesia motacilla
adult
Similar to the Northern Waterthrush, the Louisiana Waterthrush is best separated from that species by studying its head markings and voice. The sexes are similar, as are adults and immatures. All birds have dark olive-brown upperparts, including the crown, back, wings, and tail. The head has a long, pale supercilium that is wider behind the eye than in front (even wider in Northern), and buffish in front of the eye but white behind (uniformly buff in Northern). The pale throat is unmarked (subtly streaked in Northern), and the otherwise pale underparts are suffused orange-buff on the rear of the flanks, with dark streaks on the breast, belly, and flanks. The legs are bright pink.
The Louisiana Waterthrush breeds mainly from April to August. Very small numbers winter in southeast U.S.A. but most are found in Central America outside the breeding season. This unobtrusive bird is easily overlooked.
adult
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6 in (15 cm)
FOOD Invertebrates
HABITAT Waterside and damp woodland
STATUS Widespread and common summer visitor
VOICE Song is a whistled tseeu tsewit. Call is harsh tchtt
