Forest and Rangeland Birds of the United States

Natural History and Habitat Use

Louisiana Waterthrush -- Seiurus motacilla


RANGE: Breeds from eastern Nebraska, central Iowa, and east-central Minnesota to central New York and New England, south to eastern Texas, central Louisiana, central Georgia, and the Carolinas. Winters in the West Indies, Mexico, and northern South America.

STATUS: Uncommon.

HABITAT: Favors bottomland forests with moss-covered logs and rank undergrowth along rapidly moving streams. Also sometimes inhabits shrub-grown bogs or areas near swamp pools or lake edges.

SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Woodlands with flowing water.

NEST: Typically builds nest on the ground under roots, or in cavities in steep banks along streams. Also nests in cavities of upturned roots of fallen trees over or near water.

FOOD: Searches for food along sandy margins of streams, where it eats aquatic and terrestrial insects, spiders, small mollusks, killifishes, and snails.

REFERENCES: Eaton 1958, Griscom and Sprunt 1979, Petersen in Farrand 1983c.


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