Last winter was the first winter I saw any oven birds (Seiurus aurocapilla) on my property. The first few times I saw one, it was very elusive, mostly staying in the underbrush where they live. It took weeks for it to get brave enough to come out when I was out there. It stayed until fairly late in the spring, but did eventually migrate back north for the breeding season. I wondered if it would be back again this year or not. This year I actually have two of them. I suspect that one of them is the one from last year because it readily comes out and helps itself to food, even when I’m outside. There’s no way to know for sure, though, but the second one is very shy. These guys are my favorite winter visitors. I love how quietly they come and go in and out of the brush, gently pecking the ground and surrounding shrubs in search of insects. Turn your back and they can easily turn up or disappear in the instant. There are no noisy calls like the woodpeckers and no flapping of wings like the cardinals. They are almost mystical, and I can’t help but love that about them. Besides, they’re absolutely adorable.