Ovenbirds are easily one of my personal favorite warblers. Unlike most of the other members of their family, they are not especially colorful, but their plumage is subtly beautiful, with a bright orange crown that pops against their unique greenish-brown body feathers. The adult Ovenbird in my hand, however, is admittedly looking a bit scruffy. She’s finished breeding for the summer, and now that her chicks are fending for themselves, she’s started molting her feathers in preparation for migration. In addition to her new feathers that are currently coming in, she’s just received a shiny new band on her leg. This band isn’t just for show—this bird has just become part of a 33-year-long bird population monitoring project.
Photo: A young Ovenbird is gently held in a "bander’s grip." Photo: Grace Yaros/Audubon Vermont
