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;[[:Category:Furnarius|Furnarius]] rufus | ;[[:Category:Furnarius|Furnarius]] rufus | ||
− | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Rufous_Hornero.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|jocateme|jocateme}}. <br/>Location: Mato Grosso do Sul, [[Brazil]].]] |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
The Rufous Hornero, as suggested by the name, is mostly rufous. Its belly and throat may be paler, but it varies according to the subspecies or even to the individual. The tail is noticeably darker and more reddish. | The Rufous Hornero, as suggested by the name, is mostly rufous. Its belly and throat may be paler, but it varies according to the subspecies or even to the individual. The tail is noticeably darker and more reddish. | ||
====Similar Species==== | ====Similar Species==== | ||
The [[Pale-legged Hornero|Pale-legged]], [[Wing-banded Hornero|Wing-banded]] and [[Lesser Hornero]] have a paler and more conspicious eye-brow than the Rufous Hornero. It is easily separated from the [[Crested Hornero]] by the lack of a crest. | The [[Pale-legged Hornero|Pale-legged]], [[Wing-banded Hornero|Wing-banded]] and [[Lesser Hornero]] have a paler and more conspicious eye-brow than the Rufous Hornero. It is easily separated from the [[Crested Hornero]] by the lack of a crest. | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Eastern and central [[South America]]: found in [[Bolivia]], [[Brazil]], [[Paraguay]], [[Uruguay]] and [[Argentina]]. | Eastern and central [[South America]]: found in [[Bolivia]], [[Brazil]], [[Paraguay]], [[Uruguay]] and [[Argentina]]. |
Revision as of 07:24, 13 June 2012
- Furnarius rufus
Identification
The Rufous Hornero, as suggested by the name, is mostly rufous. Its belly and throat may be paler, but it varies according to the subspecies or even to the individual. The tail is noticeably darker and more reddish.
Similar Species
The Pale-legged, Wing-banded and Lesser Hornero have a paler and more conspicious eye-brow than the Rufous Hornero. It is easily separated from the Crested Hornero by the lack of a crest.
Distribution
Eastern and central South America: found in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina.
Taxonomy
Subspecies[1]
Five subspecies are recognized:
- F. r. albogularis:
- South-eastern Brazil (Goiás and Bahia to São Paulo)
- F. r. commersoni:
- F. r. schuhmacheri:
- Northern and eastern Bolivia (La Paz and Beni to Tarija)
- F. r. paraguayae:
- F. r. rufus:
Habitat
Open and semi open areas.
Behaviour
Diet
This bird eats insects (e.g. termites or ants) and some other invertebrates, searching for them on the ground or under fallen trunks. They can also be seen eating food intended for human consumption.
Breeding
The Rufous Hornero is well-known for its oven-like nest ("horno" means oven in Spanish), made of straw and manure mixed with mud. The nest can be used again, after some changes, but never for two seasons in a row, so the couple alternate between two or three nests each season. When there is not enough space to build new nests, the couple will build another next to, or even on top of, an older nest. The nests can be occupied by other bird species as well. From this nest is derived the genus name Furnarius, as well as the family name Furnariiidae, from the Latin root for oven.
The couple usually calls loudly in duets, while vibrating its wings.
In Culture
It is the National Bird of Argentina.
References
- Clements, JF. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Rufous Hornero. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 December 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rufous_Hornero