Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

      (Any Upland Deciduous (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Northern Hardwoods (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Pine (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Upland Hardwoods (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: Most references to the Ovenbird refer to its habitat as mature deciduous or mixed forests. Anderson and Shugart described the habitat as "having open canopy and sub-canopy layers and dense understory. The trees in both the canopy and sub-canopy are larger than average." Dense understory may be required to provide suitable nesting cover. There appear to be no records of Ovenbirds nesting above ground level.

Proper forest understory and litter are also important for Ovenbird feeding. Foraging birds walk along the ground and search leaves and other debris for snails, slugs, myriapods, earthworms, and various insects. Compared with thrushes and other ground-foraging birds, Ovenbirds walk slowly and continuously on the forest floor, rarely interrupting their search to "work" the substrate with the bill or feet.

The Atlas Habitat Survey reported Ovenbirds from virtually all forest types. Largest numbers involved dry and mesic deciduous and mixed forests. Wet and coniferous forests sometimes contain Ovenbirds, but not in very large numbers. Wet areas are avoided because of the ground-nesting habit, and coniferous forests tend to be ignored altogether unless a few deciduous trees are scattered among the conifers.

Habitat: Breeding: Usually in closed-canopy, mature deciduous or mixed woods, but often among pines; open forests with little underbrush and an abundance of fallen leaves, logs, and rocks are preferred. Thinning may reduce Ovenbird abundance until the canopy closes.

Habitat: Near ground in leafy woods; in migration, thickets. Needs large tracts of mature deciduous or mixed forest for successful breeding. Will nest in a wide variety of forest types, as long as they have a closed canopy, large trees, and little ground cover.

Diet: Mostly insects. In summer, feeds on a wide variety of insects including adult beetles and their larvae, ants, caterpillars, flies, and true bugs; also worms, spiders, snails.

Nest: Placed on ground where ground cover is sparse, especially near trails or roads. Female chooses site, builds domed nest from dead leaves, grass, bark, twigs; lines it with animal hair.

Conservation Status: Despite heavy parasitism by cowbirds in some areas, overall numbers seem to be holding up well.