Louisiana waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 5.25 inches

• small, ground-dwelling bird frequently found near water

• Thin, pointed bill

• White supercilium

• Throat mostly white

• White underparts with dense black streaking

• Dark brown upperparts

• Pink legs

• Constantly wags its tail

Similar species:

The Louisiana waterthrush has densely streaked underparts that are
also found in the ovenbird and northern waterthrush. The northern
waterthrush has a yellowish supercilium and a spotted throat. Some
northerns are distinctly yellowish on the underparts while Louisianas
are alway white underneath (sometimes with 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 the white supercilium
instead having an eye ring.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: Neotropical migrant
Breeding Habitat: Woodland
Nest Location: Ground-low nesting
Nest Type: Open-cup
Clutch Size: 4-6
Length of Incubation: 13 days
Days to Fledge: 10
Number of Broods: ?
Diet: Primarily aquatic invertebrates

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May U
      Su - Summer: June, July, August U
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February

 

 

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