Rufous Hornero
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Furnariidae
Genus:	Furnarius
Species:	F. rufus
Binomial name
Furnarius rufus (Gmelin, 1788)

The Rufous Hornero, Furnarius rufus, is a medium-sized Furnariidae from eastern South America, and the national bird in Argentina and Uruguay. Also known as the Red Ovenbird, it is common in savannas, second-growth scrub, pastures and agricultural land and is syanthropic (found near people). Its range includes southeastern and southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern and central Argentina (south to northern Patagonia). The species is most closely related to the Crested Hornero of Paraguay and Argentina. There are four accepted subspecies.

Overview[link]

The Rufous Hornero is medium-sized with a square tail and very slightly decurved bill. The plumage is overall reddish brown with a dull brown crown and a whitish throat. Sexes are alike and juvenile birds are slightly paler below (probably because they are cleaner). Rufous Horneros feed on insects and other arthropods obtained by foraging on the ground while walking.They sometimes feed on human scraps, such as bread crumbs^[1]. Songs in the Rufous Hornero are sexually distinct. The rapid trill that is usually heard as part of the duet is faster in the male, slower in the female, and both beat their wings at their sides while singing and the wings beat at the same rate as their trill. Thus, while watching an observer may identify the sex by how fast their wings beat while singing.

Predators of adult and young Rufous Horneros include birds of prey such as the Black-chested Buzzard Eagle Buteo melanoleucus^[2], small mammals, domestic cats, and a number of species of snakes and possibly lizards^[3]. However, its covered nest probably reduces predation risk.

The nest of the Rufous Hornero is a common sight in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay

The Rufous Hornero breeds in the austral summer, laying eggs between August and December, raising nestlings soon after, and the young may stay in their natal territory until the following breeding season. The species is monogamous and the pair bond is long term, sometimes for life. The nest of the species is typical for the genus, a large thick clay "oven" placed on a tree, or man made structures such as fenceposts, telephone poles or buildings. Pairs remain together throughout the year and will work on the nest during that time; nests can be constructed in as little as 5 days but usually take longer, occasionally months, to complete. Between 2-4 eggs are laid (every other day) and incubated for 14–18 days. Chicks are fed for 23–26 days before fledging; young birds remain in the parental territory for around 6 months after fledging and sometimes until the following breeding season. Both parents incubate eggs and young and feed young. Horneros may or may not reuse nests, therefore it is quite common to see several nests close to each other (or even atop each other) at the same nesting area. However, a formerly unused nest can be repaired for a new breeding-season.

Song of the Rufous Hornero

The Rufous Hornero has benefited from human changes to the environment and many live in highly modified habitat. Conversely, it can benefit various other species of birds, such as the Saffron Finch, who nest at its unused "ovens". It is a familiar sight over much of its range and has been adopted as the national bird of Argentina. It is not threatened by human activities and is listed as least concern by the IUCN.

References[link]

1. ^ Cf. Wikiaves Brasil, [1]
2. ^ Cf. Wkiaves Brasil, [2]
3. ^ Cf. Wikiaves photo , taken in Brasilia: [3]

• Fraga, R.M. 1980. "The Breeding of Rufous Horneros (Furnarius rufus)" Condor, 82:58-68.
• Remsen, V. (2003) Family Furnariidae (Ovenbirds). in del Hoyo J., Elliott A. & Christie D.A. (2003) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 8. Broadbills to Tapaculos Lynx Edicions, Barcelona ISBN 84-87334-50-4
• Rodrigues, M. N., Roper, J.J., (2011) "An experimental test of the benefits of hatching asynchrony in the Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus)" Revista Brasileira de Ornitologia, 19:17-21.
• Roper, J. J. (2005). Sexually distinct songs in the duet of the sexually monomorphic Rufous Hornero. "Journal of Field Ornithology, 76: 234-236."

External links[link]

• Rufous Hornero videos on the Internet Bird Collection
• Stamps (for Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay)
• Rufous Hornero photo gallery VIREO
• Photo-High Res; Article birdfinders–"Brazil Photos"

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Furnarius rufus

	Song of the Rufous hornero, recorded in Arthur Nogueira (São Paulo state, Brasil), by Eurico Zimbres
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

v t e National symbols of Argentina National flag  · Coat of arms  · Cockade  · Sun of May  · Himno Nacional Argentino (National Anthem)  · En unión y libertad (Motto)  · Logo  · José de San Martín (Father of the Fatherland)  · Effigy of the Republic - Gaucho (National personifications)  · Ceibo (National tree)  · Red Quebracho (National forest tree)  · Ceibo flower (Floral emblem)  · Hornero (National animal/National bird)  · Rhodochrosite (National stone)  · Pato (National Sport)  · Wine (National liquor)  · Asado - Locro (National dishes)  · Our Lady of Luján (Patron saint)