ovenbird

[ uhv-uhn-burd ]

noun

1. an American warbler, Seiurus aurocapillus, that builds an oven-shaped nest of leaves, twigs, etc., on the forest floor.
2. any of several South American passerine birds of the genus Furnarius of the family Furnariidae, certain species of which build an oven-shaped nest.

ovenbird

/ ˈʌvənˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of numerous small brownish South American passerine birds of the family Furnariidae that build oven-shaped clay nests
2. a common North American warbler, Seiurus aurocapillus, that has an olive-brown striped plumage with an orange crown and builds a cup-shaped nest on the ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovenbird¹

First recorded in 1815–25; oven + bird

Example Sentences

Or would it be a ball of leaves and grasses on the ground, with a tiny doorway in one side, like that of the Ovenbird?

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Ovenbird felt her nest roof crush down upon her for a minute as two people rolled and growled outside.

From Project Gutenberg

Each burrow had one fine, large room, bigger than an Ovenbird's nest, with a soft bed of leaves and fur.

From Project Gutenberg

It is only by a happy accident that this nest of the ovenbird is discovered.

From Project Gutenberg

The vireos, the cardinal and the tanager add to the brilliancy and the ovenbird and veery to the melody.

From Project Gutenberg