Is that a thrush? No — it's a warbler! Learn to identify the ovenbird, a unique warbler known for building nifty nests and singing sweetly.
What Does an Ovenbird Look Like?
At first glance, you might confuse an ovenbird with certain species of thrush. They resemble each other, with both sporting a streaked breast and a brownish back — but there are several key marks to help you get a correct ID.
Ovenbirds, part of the warbler family, are easiest to identify based on the orange and brown “crown” at the top of their head. If you’ve spotted an ovenbird, you’ll also notice an olive-brown back and wings, a white breast with dark brown streaks, and a white eyering. Males and females are identical.
Range and Habitat
You’d be most likely to locate an ovenbird in the eastern half of the United States. They pass through the Great Plains region during migration, and they spend breeding season in the Midwest, Northeast, and portions of Canada.
Within their range, ovenbirds are most commonly found in large, mature forests with canopy cover. Hilariously, ovenbirds are somewhat known for “marching” along the forest floor as they forage for food.
Diet: What Do Ovenbirds Eat?
These birds eat a variety of bugs, many of which they find on the forest floor. Bugs they eat include beetles, caterpillars, ants, spiders, snails, and flies. In winter, they can eat seed, as well.
Ovenbird Nesting Habits
Interestingly, ovenbirds get their name from their unique nest. Female ovenbirds build dome-shaped nests on the forest floor; these nests are made from leaves, grass, bark, and even hair. When complete, the resembles a Dutch oven.
Female ovenbirds lay a clutch of three to six eggs, and they can have up to two broods per season. She incubates the eggs for approximately two weeks, and after just one additional week, young leave the nest.
Ovenbird Song
Many have heard the ovenbird’s classic teacher-teacher-teacher song. Males sing during the hottest part of the day, which sets them apart from many other songbirds.
Bird sounds courtesy of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Sources
- National Audubon Society, “Field Guide: Ovenbird“
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, “Ovenbird: Life History“
