How Did the Oven Bird Gets Its Name?

How Did The Ovenbird Get Its Name?



This lively olive-brown bird with the orange/brown stripe edged in dark brown on the top of its head, and the dark streaks across its breast, is a member of the warbler family. It is only 6" long, but boasts a loud call, teacher, Teacher, TEACHER! Its pink legs and prominent white eye ring are also field marks used for easy identification.



Its nest is made of grass, dead leaves and plant fibers, and has a dome that makes it look somewhat like a Dutch oven, thus the name. The entrance is curiously in the side, not the front. Interestingly, here is another reference to a kitchen -- a flock of ovenbirds is called a ’stew’! Not all ovenbirds use the same nesting materials. The ovenbirds of Mexico, for example, like to use mud to make their nest, which will also resemble a Dutch oven.



These insect eaters will have a clutch of 4 to 5 pale blue or greenish-white eggs, which will hatch in 15 to 22 days. The female and more than one male will feed the young birds, which will then fledge and leave the nest 13 to 20 days later.



Ovenbirds build their nests right on the ground. They pull the old broken wing or injured leg trick to lure predators away should one venture too close to their home.



We live in a wooded area with lots of different birds around. The first time I ever saw an ovenbird was when I happened to come across a curious little ’pocket’ of dead leaves and grass. To my surprise it contained several small, fuzzy baby birds. I had heard of ovenbirds, but never seen one, let alone their nest. I decided to leave the area quickly. The parents were most likely finding food for these little ones. I maintained a long distance between myself and the nest, but stayed close enough to catch sight of a returning parent. It appeared to have a worm of some sort in its beak.



I was quite excited to have stumbled upon this very-well camouflaged nest. I went back about a week later to find the nest empty. But what a great experience I had had! Now I find myself listening for their loud call in late Spring. They return every year to entertain me with their antics.



The male ovenbirds are definitely not monogamous. They will have up to 3 mates at the same time. These birds prefer to live and forage in dry forests and have a huge range. They can be found in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Greenland and England.



Ovenbirds ingest many thousands of insects, including leaf-eating caterpillars, cutworms and many kinds of beetles. They will patrol your trees and gardens and serve as a natural pest control.



You may hear a jumble of bubbly, exuberant sounds at nightfall coming from these little warblers. They just might be celebrating the fact that more insects come out at night! Count yourself lucky if you should hear their joyful night song!