Warbler-like, with plain brown wings and back, brown tail, whitish or yellowish underparts with crisp dark streaking, unmarked undertail coverts, dusky pink legs, spotted throat, uniformly-colored pale supercilium that tapers behind the eye, plain brown crown, and relatively long, slender bill. Louisiana Waterthrush has a longer and heavier bill, sparser, more blurred washed-out streaks, typically clean white throat, white supercilium that is wider overall and broadens behind the eye, brighter pink legs, and buffy flanks; also note range and voice.

Length: 15 (cm) Wingspan: 24 (cm)

Voice:

Loud, clear, rich, repeated, whistle phrases. Call is a loud, emphatic, metallic note.

Habitat:

Riparian zones, thick vegetation, lakeshores, streamside thickets.

Behavior:

Habitually bobs tail up and down; 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 embankment or among brush at ground level.

Feeding:

Forages mostly on ground, probing moist areas for insects and other small prey.