Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), Santa Cruz River at Sasco Road, near Picacho Peak SP, Pinal County

This Louisiana Waterthrush was found by Jay Taylor on 26 November 2015 and photographed by John Williams on 24 January 2016

A very sparse transient and winter resident in southeastern Arizona. Louisiana is the more expected species in winter in southeastern Arizona; however, 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 behind the eye 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.

24 January 2016, photo by John Williams

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