The northern waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) is a large New World warbler – not a thrush – and often forages wetland habitats, streams and creeks, scouring the banks and edges for food. The throat is lightly streaked brown/yellow to black with heavier streaking continuing onto the breast and flanks. The genus name Parkesia commemorates American ornithologist Kenneth Carroll Parkes. It breeds in the northern part of North America in Canada and the northern United States including Alaska. It winters in Central America, the West Indies and Florida, as well as in Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. It is a rare vagrant to other South American countries and to western Europe. Its closest relative is the Louisiana waterthrush, which has a whiter throat with fewer streaks. Both waterthrush species walk rather than hop.
