Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), Ina Rd at the Santa Cruz River, Marana, Pima County

This Louisiana Waterthrush was discovered by Keith Kamper and Patty Tersey on 13 Nov 2013 and photographed by Andrew Core the same day.

Louisiana Waterthrush is a very sparse transient and winter resident in southeastern Arizona. Although most Northern Waterthrushes have departed by late October, there is a record for the Santa Catalina Mountains from the late date of 4 December, so caution is warranted.

The throat of this bird is unmarked and clean white, and the supercilium of this bird broadens and is bright white, both good for a Louisiana. An excellent mark is the color of the flanks. In Northerns the underparts can range from yellow to off-white, but in any case the underparts are uniform. Louisianas often have a distinct pink or buffy wash along the flank. While not always present, it is virtually diagnostic when it is (visible in both photos). See more on waterthrush ID here.  

13 November 2013, photo by Andrew Core