The Louisiana waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) has a contrary name – it is neither particularly common in Louisiana nor a thrush. Very similar to the Northern Waterthrush, it looks more like a thrush or sparrow than the warbler it actually is. It prefers streams and their surroundings, as well as other wet areas, and breeds in eastern North America – wintering in Central America and the West Indies. The scientific motacilla, means “tail-wagger.” Motacilla is also the genus of the aptly named wagtails.
