Responses to emails sent to some members of the Texas Bird Records Committee (sent on 9/23/2020):

Reply #1 from Mel Cooksey:
 
Michael, that’s a Northern Waterthrush. Note the supercilium is rather buffy and does not contrast with the underparts. In LOWA, the salient point is the gleaming white supercilium, which contrasts with the slightly duller underparts. Also, not the crisp blackish streaking on the underparts. This is a good mark for NOWA as LOWA streaking is more blurry. Also note the shape of the supercilium; it tapers to a point well towards the nape, a classic NOWA mark. LOWA would (usually) come to a more blunt terminus.

I see what might have contributed to a couple of problems on this bird: chin spotting is expected on NOWA, and this bird doesn’t seem to show it. That may just be light or angle, or perhaps spotting isn’t present. On some NOWAs, we just don’t see chin spotting at all. And, a few LOWAs can show some light spotting. So, chin spotting as an ID clincher is not much of a stand-alone. Also, this bird seems to show buff at the front of the supercilium, in front of eye. This is normally attributed to LOWA, but a few NOWAs can show some buff there.

If observers don’t see lots of these, it’s easy to get fooled by flank color, also. Many observers see the buffy flanks of NOWA, shown in the photo here, and mistake it for the “salmon” or “peachy” LOWA flank color.

Mel Cooksey
 

Reply #2 from Eric Carpenter:
 
Michael,

I am just now getting to this and don't think I have much to add beyond what Mel said. I may not have as strong feelings as him but I do heavily lean towards Northern. For me, the primary mark I'm drawn to is the eye-line/supercilium of Louisiana tends to seem bold white in most cases, almost standing out as brighter white than the underparts. Your candidate bird does not seem to have that so that is already a strike against it. The rest of my thoughts are similar to Mel's - I would have a tough time accepting this one as a second state record. I'm finding myself glad that we don't have to review this pair in Texas.

--Eric