Not actually a thrush, the two waterthrush species are in the warbler family (Parulidae). However both look and act more like a Spotted Sandpiper, foraging along water edges bobbing their rear end up-and-down. This Northern Waterthrush can be distinguished from the similar Louisiana Waterthrush by its narrower buffy eyebrow, smaller bill, more spotted throat, buffy belly and duller pink legs. Both waterthrush species were formerly included in the genus "Seiurus" but genetics indicate that they are not closely related to the Ovenbird. Thus both waterthrushes were moved to the new genus "Parkesia" in 2010 (51st check-list supplement).
