Common Name: Northern Waterthrush (There is another species of Waterthrush and that is the Louisiana Waterthrush - which is slightly bigger with a wing span of 10 inches and a weight of 0.72 ounces as an adult.)
Scientific Name: See title of entry
Type: Aves (Birds are not mammals, they lay eggs)
Habitat: Swampy or wet woods, (click here) streamsides, lake shores; in migration, also thickets. Breeds mostly in coniferous forests with standing or sluggish water, as found in shrubby bogs and edges of northern lakes, less often along swift streams. In migration, may appear in any habitat; more frequent in thickets along edges of water. In winter in tropics, often in coastal mangrove swamps.
Diet:Walks on ground and wades in shallow water. Often forages on half-submerged logs. Uncovers prey by tossing aside dead and soggy leaves found in rock crevices. Defends winter feeding territories against other waterthrushes.
Aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans. Feeds mainly on insects, including water beetles, water bugs, flea beetles, damselflies, weevils, mosquitoes, ants, fly pupae, caterpillars, moths; also some slugs, snails, crustaceans, and occasionally small fish. Takes mostly insects in winter, also some small crustaceans and other invertebrates.
Group Name/Family:Phylloscopidae / Wood Warblers
Average Life Span: 8.9 years
Size: Six inches long, 9.5 inches wing span
Weight: 0.63 ounces (adult)
