Northern Waterthrush

Northern 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 northern forests, the Northern Waterthrush sings it loud, ringing song from wooded swamps and bogs. It can be seen on migration bobbing its tail near wet spots in parks or back yards.

Description

• Small songbird.
• Brown back.
• Whitish or creamy underside with dark stripes.
• Whitish or yellowish eyestripe.
• Constantly bobs its tail.

• Size: 12-14 cm (5-6 in)
• Wingspan: 21-24 cm (8-9 in)
• Weight: 13-25 g (0.46-0.88 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Song loud and ringing, starts with several phrases on one pitch, followed by an accelerating jumble of short, rapid phrases dropping slightly in pitch. Call a sharp, metallic "chink."

Conservation Status

Common and widespread.

Other Names

Paruline des ruisseaux (French)
Verdin charquero (Spanish)

Cool Facts

• The Northern Waterthrush is territorial in both winter and summer. On the breeding grounds the male proclaims its territory with its loud, ringing song. On the wintering grounds it uses its "chink" calls, together with chasing and fighting, to keep out intruders.
• 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.

Sources used to construct this page:

Eaton, S. W. 1995. Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis). In The Birds of North America, No. 182 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and The American Ornithologists? Union, Washington, D.C.