Above: Northern Waterthrush, Photo supplied by Gary Budyk
What Does It Look Like?
A long-legged songbird, the Northern Waterthrush is brown above with a heavily streaked underside. It has a buffy eyebrow and a pale yellowish underside. Northern Waterthrush are known for bobbing their hindquarters.
Above: Northern Waterthrush, Photo supplied by Christian Artuso
Does It Migrate?
The Northern Waterthrush spends the colder months of the year in northern Mexico, the Carribbean and northern South America.
Where Does It Live?
Above: Northern Waterthrush, Photo supplied by Christian Artuso
A dweller of boreal wetlands (bogs, willow and alder swamps) and riparian habitats, the species' breeding range encompasses all of Canada, and extends southward to include many northern-tier US states (see: Northern Waterthrush Range Map, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology ). In Manitoba, Northern Waterthrush are generally more common northward.
Where Can I See It?
Northern Waterthrush are often found near water, in areas with thick ground cover or understory. You are much more likely to detect this bird by listening for its strong vocalizations. Spring migration is the best time to look/listen for this species, on or near the ground in wooded habitats or in your local park!
Above: Northern Waterthrush, Photo supplied by Christian Artuso
Conservation
Survey data has shown slight increases in breeding populations across Canada but without significant change in Manitoba populations (northern areas have not been extensively surveyed, however).
Did You Know?
Above: Northern Waterthrush, Photo supplied by Christian Artuso
Another trait that sets this warbler apart from most of Manitoba's breeding residents is the fact that it walks on the forest floor, rather than hopping.
Written by Deanna Dodgson