- 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. It is the National Bird of Argentina.
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.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Open and semi open areas.
Behaviour
This bird feeds 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.
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 betweem 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.
