Wood-Warblers

Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla

Family Parulidae (Wood-Warblers)

Size: 6"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Mature deciduous or mixed woodlands

The ovenbird is a fairly common but secretive ground-dwelling warbler found over much of the north-central and eastern United States. Sexes are similar, and plumage is like that of a small thrush, being uniformly greenish brown above and on the tail and wings, and white below with extensive black streaks and spots on the breast and sides. Clear, white eye rings surround the big black eyes, and a thin, orange crown is bordered by black. The legs are bubble-gum pink. It walks rather than hops along the ground in leaf litter, picking away debris to feed on insects and worms, bobbing its head and flicking its tail. The voice is a series of loud, clear, two-syllable notes, sometimes likened to tea-cher, tea-cher, tea-cher. It gets its name from the domed nest it makes, which resembles a small Dutch oven. The adult is illustrated.