ovenbird

noun

ov·​en·​bird ˈə-vən-ˌbərd How to pronounce ovenbird (audio)
1
: any of various chiefly South American small brown passerine birds (family Furnariidae, especially genus Furnarius)
2
: an American warbler (Seiurus aurocapillus) that builds a dome-shaped nest on the ground

Illustration of ovenbird

Illustration of ovenbird
  • ovenbird 2

Examples of ovenbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Recent bird sightings reported to Mass Audubon: A sampling of new migrants that arrived last week included chimney swifts, yellow warblers, Louisiana waterthrushes, ovenbirds, wood thrushes, warbling vireos, Baltimore orioles and orchard orioles. Isabela Rocha, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Apr. 2023 Species showing declines included the ovenbird, which relies on heavy leaf litter, and the beloved bobolink, known for its distinctive coloring and song, as well as its impressive annual migration. Nara Schoenberg, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2022 Among reports were three cattle egrets in the Katama area, two Eurasian wigeons in Edgartown, and a tardy ovenbird in Oak Bluffs. BostonGlobe.com, 6 Nov. 2021 Like the other weekend, an ovenbird and seven Northern Flickers and a couple unusual catbirds stopped in to fuel up on my red chokeberries and high-bush berries. Paige Darrah, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2021 Also among reports were a smattering of warblers: ovenbird, black-and-white, common yellowthroat, American redstart, yellow, and pine. BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2019 Sparrows, ovenbirds, juncos, warblers, kinglets, and creepers are just some of the species on the casualty list. Babak Tafreshi, National Geographic, 3 Apr. 2019 From the woods behind the viewing stand, an ovenbird gave its loud rhythmic song. Taylor Piephoff, charlotteobserver, 4 May 2018 Ovenbirds sing for largely territorial reasons, warning other birds to stay out. Emily Singer, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2014

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ovenbird.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the shape of its nest

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ovenbird was circa 1825

Dictionary Entries Near ovenbird

Cite this Entry

“Ovenbird.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ovenbird. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ovenbird

noun
ov·​en·​bird -ˌbərd How to pronounce ovenbird (audio)
: an American warbler that builds a dome-shaped nest on the ground

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