Ovenbirds Singing Along the Trails

Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) can be heard singing in the early morning Hawk Mountain forest. They are boisterous members of the wood warbler family and many may associate their "teacher teacher teacher" song with childhood memories of playing in the woods. Ovenbirds appreciate deciduous forests with an ample number of shrubs and can be readily seen and heard along Hawk Mountain’s River of Rocks trail. Look for a tawny ground-forager, with black and white speckled breast and distinctive white eye-ring. The orange and black striped crown can be more difficult to observe. Ovenbirds are quite inquisitive creatures and do not mind being observed while they forage in the woods. However, they do prefer that curious observers remain on the trails!

Photo by Bill Moses.