# Ovenbird (*Seiurus aurocapilla*) The Ovenbird is a small, brown bird that loves to sing in the forests. It makes a special nest on the ground that looks like an oven, which is how it got its name! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 21 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Ovenbird](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ovenbird_%2890497%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ovenbird_%2890497%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Ovenbird has an olive-brown back and white underparts with bold, black streaking across its chest. A distinctive orange crown, bordered by black stripes, and a prominent white eye-ring make it visually unique. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Parulidae - **Genus:** Seiurus ## Interesting facts - Its loud 'teacher-teacher-teacher' song is one of the loudest sounds in the forest! - Its unique domed nest, made of leaves on the ground, gives the bird its name! - Ovenbirds can migrate thousands of miles from North America to Central America! - Unlike most warblers, it walks on the forest floor, bobbing its head like a chicken! ## Special abilities - **Ground Forager:** Ovenbirds can skillfully forage for food by walking on the forest floor, unlike most warblers that hop in trees. - **Natural Camouflage:** Ovenbirds have streaky brown and olive feathers that help them blend perfectly into the leaf litter. - **Loud Singer:** Ovenbirds possess powerful vocal cords that allow them to sing an incredibly loud, ringing 'teacher-teacher' song. - **Nest Architect:** Ovenbirds can construct a unique domed nest on the ground using leaves and grass, resembling an old-fashioned oven. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 11-16 cm - **Wingspan:** 20-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.018-0.028 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 4000 km ## Diet & Feeding Ovenbirds munch on tasty insects and tiny creatures they find on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** beetles, ants, caterpillars, spiders, snails, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Sharp-shinned Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sharp-shinned-hawk) (*Accipiter striatus*) — A quick hunter of small birds. - **Eaten by:** [Black Rat Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat-snake) (*Pantherophis obsoletus*) — Preys on eggs and nestlings. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — A common predator of ground nests. - **Eats:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — A common food source. - **Eats:** Eastern Tent Caterpillar (*Malacosoma americanum*) — Feeds on these forest pests. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ovenbird? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ovenbird? 11-16 cm ### What is Ovenbird's wingspan? 20-25 cm ### How much does Ovenbird weigh? 0.018-0.028 kg ### How long does Ovenbird live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Ovenbird move? 45 km/h ### What does Ovenbird eat? Ovenbirds munch on tasty insects and tiny creatures they find on the forest floor. ### Where is Ovenbird usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Clinton Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clinton-hill-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [East Greenwich Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-greenwich-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Forge Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/forge-road-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District [View all places to see Ovenbird](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ovenbird) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Ovenbird: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ovenbird)