ovenbird

noun

ov·​en·​bird ˈə-vən-ˌbərd 

1

: any of various chiefly South American small brown passerine birds (family Furnariidae, especially genus Furnarius)

2

: an American warbler (Seiurus aurocapilla) that builds a dome-shaped nest on the ground

Illustration of ovenbird

• ovenbird 2

Examples of ovenbird in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ovenbird Warblers such as the ovenbird are often difficult to spot, so learning their widely varied songs is essential to identification. — Christopher Gangemi, New Yorker, 21 May 2026

Seeing my very first ovenbird, in all his tiny majesty, was an absolute thrill. — Murr Brewster, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2024

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

Sparrows, ovenbirds, juncos, warblers, kinglets, and creepers are just some of the species on the casualty list. — Babak Tafreshi, National Geographic, 3 Apr. 2019

Word History

Etymology

from the shape of its nest

First Known Use

circa 1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ovenbird

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird

Kids Definition

ovenbird

noun

ov·​en·​bird -ˌbərd 

: an American warbler that builds a dome-shaped nest on the ground