Flits ’cross the yard
Each summer day.
Northern Water-thrush
Seiurus noveboracensis
It is easy to see why these warblers are called water-thrushes. They resemble thrushes and usually are found near water. When you see him walking down a half-submerged log or wading along the edges of a pool, you will find he teeters like a Spotted Sandpiper. You also will notice the dark, olive-brown back, yellowish stripe over the eye, the throat and under parts buffy-yellow streaked with dark olive. The slightly larger Louisiana Water-thrush shows a white line over the eye, white or buffy-white under parts, unmarked white throat with duller streaks under the body. The Ovenbird, a near relative, shows an eye ring, reddish-orange crown and lacks the line over the eye. Western observers will find that Grinnell’s Water-thrush is slightly larger with lighter eye lines and under parts.
During migration, the Northern Water-thrush might appear in your yard or garden, but edges of swamps, ponds or streams appeal to him most. To see him at his best it is necessary to invade secluded areas around cool bogs, mountain streams or northern lakes. There you will hear the loud song, a series of clear but emphatic notes. His well-hidden nest may be found by stumps or roots or moss-covered logs.
This funny little warbler
Likes water on his feet,
And when it comes to singing
He’s really hard to beat.