Ovenbird
Seiurus aurocapilla
Its name comes from its unique nest, a domed structure made of grass and leaves with a side entrance that resembles a traditional clay oven.
- Scientific name
- Seiurus aurocapilla
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Aves › Passeriformes › Parulidae › Seiurus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Mature deciduous and mixed forests with plenty of leaf litter and a relatively open understory.
- Diet
- Mainly leaf-litter invertebrates such as beetles, ants, spiders, and caterpillars; occasionally seeds.
- Range
- Canada, United States, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean Islands
- Size
- Length: 13-16 cm; Wingspan: 22-26 cm; Weight: 18-28 grams.
- Lifespan
- Average 2-5 years in the wild; oldest recorded was 11 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Forest fragmentation, window strikes during migration, and nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. These birds walk on the forest floor like miniature chickens. Keep a safe distance of 10-15 feet to avoid disturbing their ground nests, which are easily stepped on and camouflaged. If you find one, watch quietly; they are not aggressive.
The ovenbird ( Seiurus aurocapilla ) is a small songbird of the New World warbler family (Parulidae). This migratory bird breeds in eastern North America and winters in Central America, many Caribbean islands, Florida and northern Venezuela.
Photo: Chrissy McClarren and Andy Reago, CC0, via iNaturalist
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