Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapilla

Ovenbirds make their living at or near ground level in mature broad leaf of mixed woodlands, searching leaf litter for food, singing their Teacher-Teacher-Teacher songs and building the small domed nests that resemble the Dutch ovens for which they are named. So unique are these warblers, they are the only member of the genus Seiurus within the family Parulidae. Even their choice of winter homes are in or near large mature forests. Despite the vulnerable location of its earthbound nest, predators have not diminished the population of these birds. Forest fragmentation is perhaps the most serious danger their homelands face.

On the North American mainland these birds winter in southern Mexico south to Panama. Another choice for wintering is Florida and south to the islands of the Caribbean. In summer they fly north, and while some will stay in the northeast USA, many will push on into Canada as far as north eastern British Columbia east of the Rockies or east to the Atlantic coast.