Ovenbird

On Thursday around 11:00 a.m., I was at the Redman Campgrounds (above Solitude and below Brighton). I saw a bird fly across the road and land in the underbrush. The only thing I was able to determine from that initial look was that the bird was the size of a sparrow. Then the bird flew onto a dead branch maybe ten feet off the ground and within fifteen feet of me. Although the bird was somewhat in shadow, I got a good clean look for about ten seconds.

I wasn't familiar with the bird although my gut told me I was looking at some kind of thrush (which I learned later was not correct). It had a big, bold eye-ring, a white chest and belly with very distinct, bold black markings and a raised crown. That is all I saw before the bird flew into the forest and I was unable to relocate it. I did not hear the bird vocalize.

A quick look through the Sibley guide took me right to the Ovenbird. I have spent many hours since researching this bird and I can only conclude that it was indeed an Ovenbird. I carefully studied the Northern Waterthrush and the spotted thrushes and was able to eliminate all of them as the species I saw.

This quote from the Bird Watcher's General Store website pretty well sums up the bird I saw: "Ovenbirds do indeed look like thrushes as they prowl through the understory. However, Ovenbirds are much smaller than thrushes, about the size of a sparrow. They also have a distinctive eye-ring, plus an orange stripe running down the middle of their head, giving them a punky Mohawk look." Almost all of the resources I consulted indicated that the orange crown patch is an important field mark although it can be difficult to see. While I did not see the color orange, this bird definitely had a punky look.

Now, the bad news. Two of us went back up last evening to try to relocate the bird and then four of us went back this morning - no luck either time. I am merely providing the information on this bird for you to do with what you want. I would appreciate any feedback on this report particularly with regard to other birds that could possibly have similar field marks - bold eye-ring and chest markings and the raised crown.

To get to where I saw the bird, bear right at the pay station (park off the main canyon road and walk in for free) and cross the stream. Look in the marshy areas before you reach the first campsite on your left.

Pomera