This is a Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) photographed on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, where it was recaptured after being banded in a previous year. Costa Rica has both species of waterthrush residing throughout the wintering season in a wide variety of habitats, but much like in the states it is usually found along an area with a water source nearby. The Louisiana Waterthrush is usually more commonly found on this Caribbean slope of Costa Rica, but I’ve caught it on the Pacific side as well. Seemingly its distribution isn’t fully understood yet due to its secretive nature. It supposedly won’t give a chip call note not during its stay in the tropics, but the Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) does in fact use its chip note to defend wintering areas. I’ve seemingly heard both though while down in different areas of Costa Rica. It’s an interesting species and one of the first we hear returning to the breeding areas in the states. It can usually be found breeding along stream bank sides, where it hides its cup shaped nest under a log or hollow cavities. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica while on assignment for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Sean Graesser
RTPI Affiliate
