Northern Waterthrush

LC - Least Concern

N5B - Secure Breeding

SNRB - Unranked Breeding

not listed

Northern Waterthrush looks and behaves like a thrush, and its name suggests that it is a thrush (Family Turdidae). It is actually a New World Warbler (Family Parulidae). In Minnesota it nests exclusively in the Arrowhead region. It is a common migrant throughout the state in the spring and fall. It is found in thickets and at the edges of woodlands near swamps, bogs, lakes, and ponds, and in ravines. It feeds at the edges of standing water for insects, other aquatic invertebrates, and small fish. As it forages it frequently bobs its tail.

At 5″ to 6″ in length, Northern Waterthrush is a large for a warbler. It has a long body, long legs, and a wingspan of 9½″. The upper parts are olive brown. The throat is pale yellowish to buff and lightly streaked. The rest of the underparts pale yellowish to buff with heavy dark streaking. There is little contrast between the flanks and the rest of the underparts. On the head there is a dark eye line and a bold buff “eyebrow”. The eyebrow narrows to a point at the rear, and it ends on the head, not on the neck. On some individuals the eyebrow and the underparts are paler, almost white. The legs are pinkish.

5″ to 6″ in length

9½″ wingspan

Thickets and woodland edges near swamps, bogs, lakes, beaver ponds, and rivers, and in ravines.

Late April to early June and mid-August to early October.

Invertebrates and small fish.

Common migrant, uncommon breeder

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

This species was formerly included with the ovenbird in the genus Seiurus. Recent mitochondrial DNA studies suggest that the waterthrushes are not closely related to the ovenbird. The genus was split and the waterthrushes were placed in the new genus Parkesia.

A Northern Waterthrush in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle County

I was following a Wood Duck down the river in the Minnesota River as I pulled over and noticed this small Northern Waterthrush along the bank foraging for food.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

I was following a Wood Duck down the river in the Minnesota River as I pulled over and noticed this small Northern Waterthrush along the bank foraging for food.

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Northern Waterthrush in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge in Lac qui Parle County along the wooded area of the auto tour road.