Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapilla

Ovenbird, Zapata Swamp, Cuba, February 2005 - click for larger image

Cuba & Guatemala

The Ovenbird breeds in southern Canada and the USA east of the Rockies but winters in southeastern USA, Central America, northern South America and the West Indies. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is found in forest and woodland with leaf litter where it hunts on the ground for insects and fallen fruit.

It is grouped with wood-warblers though it doesn't look or act much like one. It is olive above and has a broad orange crown stripe bordered by black. The eye has a pale eye-ring while below it is whitish with black streaks on the chest and flanks. The legs are pink.

The Cubans call it Señorita del Monte and the way it delicately picks its way along the ground, invariably with its tail cocked, really does remind you of a young lady.

Ovenbird, Tikal, Guatemala, March 2015 - click for larger image

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