Ovenbirds

Ovenbird

Macaulay Library, CLO, Don Blecha

Length: 4.3-5.5 in (11-14 cm)
Weight: 0.6-1.0 oz (16-28 g)
Wingspan: 7.5-10.2 in (19-26 cm)

General Description

Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) are olive-green above with a spotted underbelly, characterized by bold black-and-orange crown stripes. A distinctive white eye ring gives them a somewhat surprised expression, and like several other terrestrial warblers, they have pink legs.

Habitat

Ovenbirds breed in closed-canopy forests, particularly in deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous woods. They inhabit various forest types, from rich oak or maple woods to dry pine forests, while typically avoiding wet or swampy areas.

Behavior

These birds spend much of their time foraging on the ground, exhibiting a herky-jerky, wandering stroll that sets them apart from other terrestrial songbirds. Territorial males are vocal and often sing from tree branches, particularly in the heat of midafternoon.

Diet

Ovenbirds primarily feed on forest insects and other invertebrates, including a variety of adult beetles and larvae, ants, caterpillars, flies, and other insects. They exhibit adaptability in their feeding habits, foraging in trees and shrubs when novel food sources appear, such as during a spruce budworm outbreak.

Nesting

The female ovenbird constructs a nest in thick leaf litter on the forest floor, typically at least 60-70 feet from the forest edge. She often selects a location under or near a small break in the canopy, often near fallen trees or areas recovering from disturbances.

Eggs and Incubation

Ovenbird eggs are usually white with reddish-brown spots and speckles. The female incubates 3-6 eggs for 11-14 days, and after hatching, the chicks remain in the nest for 7-10 days until fledging.

Migration Status

Ovenbirds are Neotropical migrants that winter in Mexico, Central America, and various tropical islands. They migrate primarily at night, traveling at high altitudes, usually alone or in pairs, though they can occasionally be found in flocks.

Woodland Wonders

The name ovenbird derives from its covered nest, which resembles a Dutch oven due to its dome shape and side entrance. Its abundance, wide distribution, and relative ease of observation have made it a model songbird for scientific studies, particularly in understanding the impacts of logging and habitat fragmentation on migrating songbirds.

Ovenbird Monitoring at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller

At Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller, phenology monitoring helps track changes in the forest, including the ovenbird's life cycle, particularly when migration begins in spring and fall.