Northern Waterthrush Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesNorthern Waterthrush
Adult
Thrushlike warbler with long legs and a long body. Brown above with a narrow, often buffy eyebrow, though some individuals have a white eyebrow. Heavily streaked below.
© fernando Burgalin Sequeria / Macaulay LibraryHeredia, November 22, 2020Adult
Long-legged warbler with a heavily streaked belly. Some individuals have extensive yellow wash on the belly. Note narrow buffy or white eyebrow.
© Benny Diaz / Macaulay LibraryCabo Rojo, September 15, 2018Adult
The throat is often spotted and the belly heavily streaked. Some individuals are whiter below than others and have more of a white eyebrow.
© Jay McGowan / Macaulay LibraryNew York, May 03, 2017Adult
Sings a loud ringing song from elevated perches.
© Bryan Calk / Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 24, 2019Adult
Found in wooded swamps, ponds, bogs, and slow moving streams. Bobs its tail while walking.
© Steve Bayer / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, April 22, 2017Adult
Thrushlike warbler with a narrow, often buffy eyebrow.
© Jonathan Bonin Bourgault / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, May 11, 2017Similar SpeciesLouisiana Waterthrush
Adult
The eyebrow on Louisiana Waterthrush is wider at the rear than Northern Waterthrushes. Louisiana also has whiter underparts and less streaking on the throat than Northern. Often found in areas with faster water than Northern.
© Derek Rogers / Macaulay LibraryNew York, April 12, 2017Similar SpeciesOvenbird
Adult
Ovenbirds lack the eyebrow stripe seen on Northern Waterthrushes and don't usually occur in bogs or streams.
© Don Blecha / Macaulay LibraryIllinois, September 24, 2016Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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