Ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapillus

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

15 cm (6") Common in mature deciduous woods walking on leaves or on logs.

Ground warbler with the appearance of a thrush. Rusty cap bordered by black stripes. Bold white eye ring. Olive above. White below with bold black streaks or spotting on breast. Pink legs.

Song: distinctive, loud, emphatic "tea-cher" repeated louder and louder.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

2 photos

Credit: Larry Bond

Credit: Ray Barlow

Watch and learn

Videos

3 videos

Ovenbird

Credit: Larry Bond

Ovenbird

Credit: Lang Elliott's Nature Channel

Ovenbird in Connecticut forest

Credit: Wild Bird and Nature Videos by McElroy Productions

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Ovenbird

2 rules

Rule 1 14 criteria confidence 8

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ?: No · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Uniform · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Olive (yellowish-green) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Unknown
What were the EYE markings if any ?: Light RING (white or yellow) AROUND the eye · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Warbler-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Spring · Summer · Fall

result:104-ovenbird:1:1 Source: 104 Ovenbird, row 1

Rule 2 15 criteria confidence 2

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Unknown
Did the WINGS have STRIPES or PATCHES ?: No · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?: Uniform · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Olive (yellowish-green) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BELLY ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?: Streaked lengthwise (from head to tail) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Straight and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Short · Medium · Unknown
What were the EYE markings if any ?: Light RING (white or yellow) AROUND the eye · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Warbler-like
WHEN was the bird seen ?: Winter
WHERE was the bird seen ?: Southeastern United States · Southwestern United States

result:104-ovenbird:2:1 Source: 104 Ovenbird, row 2