What grade school teacher hasn’t heard the words “Teacher! Teacher! Teacher!” accompanied by a tug on the sleeve?  The Ovenbird won’t tug on anyone’s sleeve but it will sing repeatedly what sounds like “Teacher!” and it is often referred to as the “Teacher Bird”.

        This reclusive bird builds a camouflaged domed nest on the forest floor with an opening on the side like an oven. That's how this little Wood-warbler got its strange name.  Because of the peculiar nesting location, which makes it vulnerable to predators , mortality rate is high and a large percentage of young birds never make it to maturity. Although it is found mostly in the eastern half of the US, it has been spotted in various locations in Utah including Kolob in 1998, as recently as 2005 on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Ogden, at Lucin in 2006 (according to Utahbirds.org) and by Larry Tripp on May 30, 2010 julst north of Veyo. 

        If you’re ever out in the woods and hear “Teacher! Teacher! Teacher!”, think of the Ovenbird and watch where you’re walking. What a treat it would be to find one of these orange-crested wood-warblers or even hear its unique call,. Thanks to Carol Davis for drawing our bird this week.

    Remember, for more information about birds, call the Red Cliffs Audubon at 435 673-0996 or if you would like to join us on one of our field trips, check our schedule for dates and times.