Species-Specific Management (SSM)

Eastern Ovenbird

The eastern ovenbird (Seiurus aurocaills or aurocapillus) is a migratory bird species that spends the summer in the woodlands of the souther Appalachian forests. To manage an ovenbird population, the land owner may manipulate habitat to benefit the bird, wildlife watchers, as well as the forest ecosystem. They are conspicuous birds with a beautiful voice. Ovenbirds can be managed for their value as a potential element of eco-tourism, for bird-watchers, and for users of the forest for solitude and sanctuary. They alone are unlikely to generate revenue but with other birds in an area they may do so one day. Until then, conventional non-game bird community management is suggested. To manage for a forest bird like the ovenbird, the land owner must manage for the kind of habitat in which they live. As an open woodland type bird, it is heard more than seen. It lives in mature, open, upland forest sites. The ovenbird would easily adapt to plantation-like forests where silvicultural practices keep a minimum of undergrowth. Such areas may also occur on reclaimed surface mining lands. Specific actions include:

1. Increase the age of timber rotation. These are typically birds of forests older than 60 years and favor dry upland sites. Small openings (1-2 tree gaps) are useful.
2. Reduce or prevent cattle grazing (fencing, etc.). The bird is a ground nester and even though it prefers open or wide-spaced old trees, some understory is needed. Excessive deer populations are likely to be harmful to desirable cover density and nest damage..
3. Prevent ground fire, especially in spring, to protect leaf litter as well as nests. Restrict camp fires.
4. Eliminate domestic cats and unusual built ups of predators (e.g., raccoons at the edge of the cities).
5. Prevent excessive recreational use off of trails during nesting (April 27 - May 15). Use signs, education, and patrols.
6. Ovenbird nests near forest edges are said to be filled by cowbirds. Openings in forests may create a zone in which they may be a low chance of ovenbird nest success. The actual area of such edge-side-zones needs to be estimated before all edges are concluded to be "bad" because of one species effects on this one species.
7. Prevent or discourage insecticide use in forests that may destroy the bird's food supply or influence reproduction or survival.
8. Trails (greater than 3 feet wide) and back country camp sites can be used to bring people to the bird, especially during the spring when it is singing. It can be found also during the summer by solitary campers and bird-watchers.
9. Keep records on observations made of the bird and assure yourself that your actions are paying off. If not, make changes or seek advice.

A contribution of Lee Anne LaBounty (1991) and Kahled Hassouna (1996)
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0321

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.