Louisiana Waterthrush

First, a welcome to Zimbabwe, the 132nd country -- and 21st from Africa -- to visit our blog.


Continuing to share my warbler photos along with information about each species, from my latest book: "Warblers of Arizona, A Guide to Finding and Photographing Warblers in Southern Arizona." 

If you are interested in purchasing it, please email me at exclusivelywildlifephotos.com or info@azuregate.com.

Louisiana Waterthrush

Common Name: Louisiana Waterthrush

Scientific Name: Parkesia motacilia

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Conservation Status: Least Concern, mostly stable population with estimates of 360,000

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Size: 5.5 inches

Description: plain brown crown, nape, back, and wings without striping; bold white supercilium; white chin, throat, breast, and belly with brown streaks; bright pink legs; long pointed bill; short brown tail

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Male/Female: male and female are identical

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Range: Minnesota to New York south to Columbia; rarely west of the Missouri River

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Migration: winters in Central America, migration along the Gulf Coast, summers in Eastern United States

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Season for Arizona: casual transient, wintering along permanent streams

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Habitat: ground dwelling, walks bobbing tail along gravel bottomed streams flowing through deciduous forests

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Community Behavior: solitary

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Feeding Behavior: forages on ground gleaning insects from vegetation

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Diet: Insects and other arthropods, earthworms, occasionally frogs or small fish

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Nesting Behavior: 3-6 creamy white eggs with reddish brown spots in open cup of mud, leaves etc placed in small hollow or cavity on stream bank under a fallen log or upturned tree

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Where to Find in Southern Arizona: San Pedro River (between posts 7 and 8), Sabino Creek near the Dam, Santa Cruz River near Tumacacori, Ina Road, and Sasco Road

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Comments: Very similar to Northern Waterthrush; takes naps during the middle of the day