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Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus Family: Parulidae (Warblers)  |
Description: Upper parts are brownish olive, below is white, broken black stripes on a white chest and a white eye ring. They have a distinctive tapered dark-outlined bright orange crown stripe running from the beak to the nape of the neck. These brown ground dwelling warblers are often found on the forest floor. Unlike most songbirds, which keep both feet together to hop around, the Ovenbird walks on the forest floor. During peak breeding season, especially around dusk or after dark, you might hear a highly emotional and expressive song coming from an Ovenbird. Due to inspiration we humans have speculated is an "energy-release," Ovenbirds randomly perform an outburst quite different from their normal "teacher" song. This improvised song is referred to as its "ecstasy song" or "ecstasy flight" because the soul of the song sounds full of overpowering emotion and is often sung while in flight. Yellow throats and Whip-poor-wills are also known for evening "ecstasy" songs. Range: (May - September) Breeds from northeastern British Columbia, southern Northwest Territories, northern Alberta, across Canada to Newfoundland, south to northern Georgia. Winters in coastal South Carolina, Florida, the Gulf States, coastal Texas, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Birdwatchers claim that the Ovenbird is one of those that generally arrives in New York predictably during the first week of May.
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Size: 6 inches Diet: Insects Habitat: Understory of the forest interior or in the shade of forest floors of mixed broad leaf woods. Occasionally in swampy forests or even floodplains. Song: A chorus of clearly pronounced "teacher-teacher-teacher" that goes up in volume (crescendo) and scale as it's repeated 6-8 times. (See evening "ecstasy" songs in the description) |
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