tion that the two species are breeding, and so we could properly refer to them as probable breeders. Unsurprisingly, finding the nest of an Ovenbird is far more difficult than seeing the bird itself and, consequently, I’ve come across very few of them in my wanderings. The Ovenbird makes its nest on the ground in a concealed place. The main part of the nest is cup-shaped, but the cup itself is effectively camouflaged by an attached canopy that the bird also constructs. It is an unusual design for a bird’s nest and its resemblance to a Dutch oven is what gives the species its common name. The last Ovenbird nest I came upon in our woods was only two feet away from an active foot trail, but was almost completely invisible. The female sitting on the nest looked like she was lurking inside a dark cave. Ovenbirds make a big commotion if you get too close to their nests, especially when they have nestlings. During this period it becomes surprisingly easy to see the adults. When they are not walking back and forth on an open branch and giving loud “smack” alarm calls, they may be performing distraction displays. This entails an adult
The Wood Thrush is a denizen of the mature forest feigning a broken wing or acting like they are otherwise hobbled. They may also pathetically drag themselves around on the ground in front of you. Of course, this behavior is intended to lure a predator away from the nest or young and for this the parents uses the only bait they have at their disposal–their own bodies. In lieu of finding a nest, if you witness any of the behavior I’ve described, you can confidently claim confirmed breeding status for the Ovenbird. As well as hearing the Wood Thrush’s beautiful and inimitable song, I hear “tut-tuttut” warning call notes from its cousin (and
fellow thrush species), the American Robin. Over the last couple of decades American Robins have been increasingly exploiting nesting opportunities in the forest and this usually brings them into direct competition for breeding territories with Wood Thrushes. Robins are a little larger than Wood Thrushes and they are more aggressive. Sometimes they tolerate thrushes nesting nearby and sometimes they don’t. Why the robins have made this switch to forest nesting, I’m not quite sure, but I think it likely represents the species’ return to its originally preferred habitat. Of course, this would have been the virtually the only type of habitat available in the Mohawk Valley and throughout the Northeastern U.S. prior to the colonial period and the felling of the original forest. Now that forestlands in the region are making somewhat of a comeback and replacing many fields and pasture lands, the robins have the opportunity to return to their forested “promised land.” Robins are far more prolific and adaptable than Wood Thrushes. They can accept everything from suburban yards to rock quarries, to wetland edges and more as breeding habitats. They can also manage raising multiple
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