A bird known for an over-sized voice and a unique nest that looks like an old-fashioned outdoor oven, after which the bird is named. The female ovenbird builds her domed shaped nest on the forest floor. She builds it from the inside out using pieces of bark, small twigs, grasses, dead leaves and even hair. She leaves a side entrance so she and her mate can care for the young birds once they hatch. After she has finished weaving the nest, the female ovenbird drops small twigs and sticks on top of the nest to hide it from predators such as garter snakes, eastern chipmunks, and raccoons.



Photo: Kent McFarland

https://nystateparks.blog/tag/ovenbird/