photo by Phil Swanson

Seiurus noveboracensis
L 5 3/4″ (15 cm).

Song or calls:
Song begins with loud, emphatic notes and ends in lower notes, with notes evenly spaced.

Description: Sexes similar. Olive brown above; uniformly colored underparts (Louisiana Waterthrush has contrast in color between flanks and rest of underparts); dark streaking on underparts; buffy eyebrow, of even width or slighly narrowing behind eye; has smaller bill and drabber leg color than Louisiana Waterthrush.

Behavior: Walks rather than hops, and bobs its tail constantly and usually rapidly.

Habitat: Deciduous forests or woodlands near streams. Often forages near or on the ground.

Where in Nebraska: Uncommon spring and fall migrant across the state, becoming rarer westwardly.

Fun Facts: Out of over 18,000 Northern Waterthrush banded 1955-1997, only 7 have been received; a 0.037% return.  

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