| Northern Waterthrush Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Small, ground-dwelling bird frequently found near water - Thin, pointed bill - Pale yellow supercilium - Throat finely spotted - White or yellowish underparts with dense black streaking - Dark brown upperparts - Pink legs - Constantly wags its tail Similar species The Northern Waterthrush has densely streaked underparts that are also found in the Louisiana Waterthrush and Ovenbird. The Louisiana Waterthrush usually has a whiter, wider supercilium, and an unspotted throat. Some Northerns are distinctly yellowish on the underparts -- Louisianas are always white (but can have buffy flanks). The songs of the two are quite different and are the best way to separate them. The Ovenbird does not pump its tail and lacks a pale supercilium instead having an eye ring. |
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