Louisiana Waterthrush

The Louisiana Waterthrush is a New world Warbler of the genus Parkesia. These Warblers have a Thrush-like plumage but their singing sets them apart from Waterthrushes. They have loud and ringing songs that can be heard from miles away. This resonant song can pierce through the rest of the background noise.

About Louisiana Waterthrushes

Louisiana Waterthrushes are known for the tail-wagging behavior prevalent in this species. Therefore, both their species and genus name translates to “tail-wagger”. Like Northern Waterthrushes, these birds also bob their bodies while walking.

During the breeding season, these birds primarily forage on grounds near forested streams, whereas during winter and migration these birds forage away from wetlands, along impoundments, parks, gardens, and lawns.

In comparison to other Waterthrushes, Louisiana Waterthrushes arrive very early to the breeding grounds, and subsequently, they also depart early. Louisiana Waterthrushes are one of the only birds from the passerine species that forage in actively running water.

Although Louisiana Waterthrushes are still very common and widespread throughout their range over 2 centuries, their population has steadily declined. This decline is a result of the destruction and damage their habitats have been subjected to. These birds are very dependent on densely forested areas, so the increased forest fragmentation is threatening their numbers.

Other practices like gas drilling, agriculture, timber harvesting, and urban development are further damaging their available habitats. Louisiana Waterthrushes seem to be especially sensitive to changes in the quality of their habitat.

Canadian populations of Louisiana Waterthrushes are threatened due to the gradual reduction of insect prey, and reduction in the water supply as a result of agricultural drainage. Climate change and excessive irrigation are also posing challenges.

Louisiana Waterthrushes are very similar in appearance behavior to Northern Waterthrushes, but they don’t often interbreed. Louisiana Waterthrushes have larger bills, hence they hunt larger prey. As we know Louisiana Waterthrushes like foraging in running streams. In contrast, Northern Waterthrushes like to forage in still water.
Researchers are convinced that the presence of Louisiana Waterthrushes is a great indicator of the health of the ecology of streams.

● Louisiana Waterthrushes Photos, Color Pattern, Song
● Louisiana Waterthrushes Size, Eating behavior, Habitat

● Louisiana Waterthrushes Range and Migration, Nesting

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Louisiana Waterthrush Color Pattern

Adult Louisiana Waterthrushes retain the same plumage coloration throughout the year. Even the color differences between juveniles and adults are not very great. The upper parts of adults are dark-olive, and they have a distinctive supercilium that extends behind the region behind their eyes. The lower bodies of these birds are white and their flanks have a slight buff wash. Their breast has dark streaks, unlike their necks.

Description and Identification

You will see these birds before you hear them. These birds can easily be confused as Waterthrushes. Birdwatchers can accurately identify these birds like Warblers. These birds are extremely similar in appearance to Northern Waterthrushes and distinguishing between them is not easy. Even very experienced birdwatchers might fail to distinguish between these birds only based on appearance. Louisiana Waterthrushes usually have lighter streaking on their neck and breast than Northern Waterthrushes. An easier way to distinguish between these birds is by observing their songs and callnotes.

Louisiana Waterthrush Song

Louisiana Waterthrushes have two distinct and commonly sung songs. These are the primary and extended songs. In simple terms, extended songs are just the addition of phrases to the primary songs.

They make 2-4 clear, slurred notes at the beginning of the primary song. These are followed by many short phrases of a descending pitch. These introductory notes are “seeup seeup seeup”.

These introductory notes generally last been 0.5-1.5 seconds. The ending notes are a lot more complex, and their length and speed can vary to a greater extent. Phonograms have given evidence to prove that primary songs or some portions of the primary songs are unique among individuals.

Extended songs last for 1-2.1 seconds, and primary songs last for about 1.3-1.8 seconds. Adding these two together, the song can last for 4 seconds. When males are chasing rivals, they almost always include the extended song in a chain-like sequence.

They sing these songs together in the breeding season when males are establishing and protecting their territories. Unpaired males do not vocalize the extended song. This is perhaps because they wish to protect their territory, but do not wish to interact with other birds.

In aerial chases or clashes between two male Louisiana Waterthrushes, the aggressors often sing the extended song, while the defending or fleeing bird sings the primary song. In this case, singing the primary song might be a manner of accepting defeat. Louisiana Waterthrushes usually sing a flight song during dusk. These birds begin vocalizing this song when they are on the ground or perched on top of an elevated surface. As these birds begin to fly, the song also accelerates in speed and intensity. This song includes chipping and twittering sounds, and as these birds are flying higher into the air they begin singing their primary song but at a much faster pace. Northern Waterthrushes have a similar manner in singing this song, they produce this song more frequently.

The call notes of Louisiana Waterthrushes is a sharp “Tp” or “chip”. This call is also very similar to the call of Northern Waterthrushes, but it is slightly higher in pitch. During courtship, Louisiana Waterthrushes make a buzzy call. This call precedes flight. Males make this call when it’s following the female while she’s foraging. The male might perch at a higher elevation and fly down while uttering the call when he’s in the vicinity of the female. Foraging Louisiana Waterthrushes generally make a “chut-chut-chut” call. This call is very soft in tone.

Female Louisiana Waterthrushes have similar call notes as males. When females sing the primary song, the introductory notes aren’t as well defined and sharp, and the ending is not as complex. Females might use the primary song to call their mates while they are incubating.

Louisiana Waterthrushes usually sing the most at 10 am, and then their singing gradually decreases, only to pick up slightly around dusk. They produce the flight song during dusk.

Louisiana Waterthrush Size

Louisiana Waterthrushes are the largest wood Warblers. Their length ranges between 5.5-6.7 inches, and their wingspan is between 8.3-10 inches. Their average weight is 0.57 ounces.

Louisiana Waterthrush Behavior

Louisiana Waterthrushes are ground foragers that hunt along the edges of streams. They use their agility and speed to pursue small vertebrates and aquatic insects among stones and other hurdles. These birds don’t swim, but they sometimes wade to procure food from the water surface.

Before consuming their prey, these birds attack it with a few blows. Male Louisiana Waterthrushes establish and protect their territory, but they aren’t as hostile to intruders entering the surrounding woodland as Northern Waterthrushes are.

Territories are usually along streams, and can sometimes be as large as 4,800 feet. In courtship, both sexes perform paired flights and then find ground where they face each other. While facing each other, they make a short “zizz” call.

A small portion of Louisiana Waterthrushes return to the same breeding territories and mate with their former mates. Although this is not an uncommon occurrence, most of these birds are only seasonally monogamous.

When two Louisiana Waterthrushes are clashing with each other, they perform a display in which they show the bright pink lining of their mouth to the other bird. This display is to intimidate the other birds.

During winter, these birds are very territorial. Often when the wintering ranges of Louisiana and Northern Waterthrushes overlap they feed around each other without getting aggressive.

Louisiana Waterthrush Diet

Louisiana Waterthrushes include a number of small vertebrates and insects into their diet. They get most of their food near freshwater streams. Prey usually eaten by them are craneflies, midges, soldier flies, aphids, dragonflies, millipedes, beetles, earthworms, minnows, salamanders, frogs, crayfish, spiders, moths, and lacewings. These birds also consume the larvae or nymphs of insects.

Due to their larger size, Louisiana Waterthrushes consume larger prey than Northern Waterthrushes do. Very rarely, they catch insects in mid-air, or while hovering around near vegetation.

Louisiana Waterthrush Habitat

Louisiana Waterthrushes generally breed in hilly environments. They establish their territories near streams in mixed or mature deciduous forests. Other regions inhabited by them are bottomland forests and cypress swamps.

Birds that winter in Central and South America often inhabit regions with fast-flowing streams. They steer away from lowland habitats. You will rarely see Louisiana Waterthrushes in mangrove forests because they are inhabited by Northern Waterthrushes.

Louisiana Waterthrushes require large tracts of forests in their breeding habitat, and if the tracts are smaller than 350 hectares, then the chances of them choosing this habitat are 50% less likely. These birds also actively avoid areas that have high elevation. Most Louisiana Waterthrushes return to their wintering and breeding sites.

Range and Migration

The breeding range of Louisiana Waterthrushes extends from Minnesota, southern Ontario, and New England, to Louisiana and Georgia. Louisiana Waterthrushes found in southern Ontario are in the Norfolk Sand Plain region.

Gradually, the breeding range of these Warblers has expanded northward. This is perhaps due to the re-growth of forest areas cut down for lumber in the 19th and 20th centuries. Louisiana Waterthrushes that reside in Minnesota are common in the eastern portion of the state.

During winters, these birds migrate to northern Mexico, Central America, and to the northern portion of South America. Some populations also winter in the Caribbean and the West Indies. Occasionally, migrants can be sighted in the southeastern U.S.

Louisiana Waterthrush Lifecycle

Louisiana Waterthrushes might begin breeding in the first week of March. As soon as females arrive on the breeding grounds, pairs are formed. Most females arrive around one week later than males. Sometimes, males might pair with a female that arrived early to the breeding ground and breaks that bond when he sees a female that he previously bonded with.

Louisiana Waterthrushes lay between 2-6 eggs which take about 10-14 days to incubate. These eggs are creamy with patches of reddish-brown on them. The average length of an egg is between 0.8-0.9 inches. These birds generally raise only one brood. Second broods are not very common. If attempted, females take care of their young from the first brood while attempting to make another one. Re-nesting is more common in the case of failed broods. The longest recorded living Louisiana Waterthrush lived till the age of almost 12 years.

Nesting

Both sexes choose the nest sites. Nests are often constructed beneath logs or root tangles along streambanks. Both males and females contribute to nest construction. The foundation of the nest is built with dry leaves, pine needles, wet leaves, stems, and pine needles. Mud is used to hold together the outer portion of the nest. The inside of the nest is lined with mosses, hair, stems, and rootlets. Nests are approximately 6 inches in diameter, and 4 inches tall. The size of the nest varies according to the site it is built in.

Anatomy of a Louisiana Waterthrush

Louisiana Waterthrushes are large, rotund warblers. They have long legs, and medium-sized tarsi and beaks.

Final Thoughts

Louisiana Waterthrushes are magnificent birds. As they are the largest wood Warblers in the world, spotting them would definitely make the day of an avid birdwatcher.

Ornithology

Bird Watching Academy & Camp Subscription Boxes

At the Bird Watching Academy & Camp we help kids, youth, and adults get excited and involved in bird watching. We have several monthly subscription boxes that you can subscribe to. Our monthly subscription boxes help kids, youth, and adults learn about birds, bird watching, and bird conservation.

Bird Watching Binoculars for IdentifyingLouisiana Waterthrushes

The most common types of bird watching binoculars for viewing Louisiana Waterthrushes are 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. Bird Watching Academy & Camp sells really nice 8×21 binoculars and 10×42 binoculars. You can view and purchase them here.

Louisiana Waterthrush Stickers

Stickers are a great way for you to display your love for bird watching and the Louisiana Waterthrush. We sell a monthly subscription sticker pack. The sticker packs have 12 bird stickers. These sticker packs will help your kids learn new birds every month.

Bird Feeders ForLouisiana Waterthrushes

There are many types of bird feeders. Bird feeders are a great addition to your backyard. Bird feeders will increase the chances of attracting birds drastically. Both kids and adults will have a great time watching birds eat at these bird feeders. There are a wide variety of bird feeders on the market and it is important to find the best fit for you and your backyard.

Bird HousesForLouisiana Waterthrushes

There are many types of bird houses. Building a bird house is always fun but can be frustrating. Getting a bird house for kids to watch birds grow is always fun. If you spend a little extra money on bird houses, it will be well worth every penny and they’ll look great.