Louisiana Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrush

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A bird of forest streams, the Louisiana Waterthrush looks more like a thrush or sparrow than the warbler it is. It can be recognized by its loud ringing call and constant bobbing of its tail.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Brown back.
• White underside with dark stripes.
• White eyestripe.
• Constantly bobs its tail.

• Size: 14 cm (6 in)
• Wingspan: 24 cm (9 in)
• Weight: 19-23 g (0.67-0.81 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike.

Sound

Song loud and ringing, starts with two to five slightly descending, clear whistled notes followed by a complex jumble of short, rapid phrases. Call a sharp, metallic "chip."

Conservation Status

Little evidence of changing numbers. Not well censused by Breeding Bird Survey.

Other Names

Paruline hochequeue (French)

Cool Facts

• The Louisiana and Northern waterthrushes are very similar species whose breeding ranges overlap slightly. Their songs and their habitats, while similar, differ significantly. The pitch of the beginning notes of the Louisiana's song usually descend, just as does the hilly stream that is its preferred habitat. The Northern Waterthrush prefers bogs and waters that are flat, just as its beginning notes stay on the same pitch.

• The Louisiana Waterthrush occasionally takes naps during the middle of the day. Unlike when it sleeps at night, a napping waterthrush does not tuck its bill behind a wing. Instead, it pulls its neck into its body, squats down and covers its legs with its body feathers, and shuts its eyes.

• Unlike many warblers, the male Louisiana Waterthrush does not sing on its wintering grounds before it leaves. It sings immediately when it arrives on its breeding territory. Whether it begins singing during migration is not known. When establishing his territory, a male sings vigorously nearly all day. After he acquires a mate, singing decreases quickly and he concentrates his singing into the morning hours.

Sources used to construct this page:

Robinson, W. D. 1995. Louisiana Waterthrush (Seirurs motacilla). In The Birds of North America, No. 151 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, and The American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C.