Dark brown above, whitish to pale yellowish below and supercilium. Dark streaking on breast. Best distinguished from very similar Louisiana Waterthrush by thinner, more yellowish supercilium and typically spotted throat, drabber leg color. Habitat should be considered when identifying waterthrushes.
Song is best indicator of species.
A series of loud, emphatic notes ending in lower notes, evenly spaced. Also into the Appalachian Mountains. Prefers thickets near woodland swamps and bogs. Winters mainly from Mexico south to northern South America and throughout the West Indies and Bermuda. Earliest spring migrants typically arrive in the South by early April.