Warbler-like, with plain brown wings and back, short brown tail, whitish underparts with diffuse lighter brown streaking, unmarked undertail coverts, bright pink legs, typically unmarked white throat, longer wide white supercilium that broadens behind the eye and may be buffy or grayish in front of the eye, plain brown crown, and relatively long, heavy bill. Northern Waterthrush has denser, darker streaks, a spotted throat, narrower supercilium that does not flare behind the eye, paler pinkish legs, and often yellowish underparts. Presence of absence of spotting on the throat is not a diagnostic feature. Also note range and voice.

Length: 15 (cm) Wingspan: 25 (cm)

Voice:

Loud, clear, sweet, repeated, whistled phrases, ending with jumbled notes. Call is a loud metallic note.

Habitat:

Riparian zones, thick vegetation, lakeshores, streamside thickets.

Behavior:

Habitually bobs its tail in an exaggerated circular or side-to-side motion that is more deliberate than the faster up and down tail motion of a Northern; walks along ground, often wades in water. Can be rather secretive, but sings from exposed perches and walks into open areas along edges of shallow water. Nest is a cup of mosses, leaves, grasses, and other soft materials, hidden in a rocky crevice or among tree roots at ground level.

Feeding:

Forages mostly on ground, probing moist areas for aquatic insects and invertebrates.