Bird Guide

Louisiana Waterthrush vs Prothonotary Warbler

Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)

Louisiana Waterthrush

Parkesia motacilla

Small20 gForest

The Louisiana waterthrush has a plain brown back and white underparts streaked with black. The flanks and undertail are buff. There is a strong white flared supercilium, and the legs are bright pink. All plumages are similar, but young birds have buff underparts rather than white. The main confusion species is the closely related northern waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis), which has white flanks and undertail, a striped throat, a slightly smaller bill, a shorter supercilium and duller pink legs.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Philip Vanbergen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Andrew C · CC BY 2.0
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Prothonotary Warbler

Protonotaria citrea

Tiny14 gForest

The prothonotary warbler is 13 cm (5.1 in) long, weighs a mean 14.3 g (0.50 oz), and has a wingspan of 22 cm (8.75 in). It has an olive-coloured back with blue-grey wings and tail, yellow underparts, a relatively long pointed bill, and black legs. The adult male has a bright orange-yellow head. Females and immature birds are duller and have a yellow head. In flight from below, the short, wide tail has a distinctive two-toned pattern, white at the base and dark at the tip.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Tom Austin · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Benjamin Smith from United States · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

And 2 more countries.

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Louisiana Waterthrush and Prothonotary Warbler.