Furnarius minor
The Lesser Hornero, *Furnarius minor*, is a charming and diminutive member of the ovenbird family (Furnariidae), measuring a mere 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 in) in length and weighing around 20-25 grams. Its plumage is characterized by a dusky brown back, contrasting with a striking rufous rump and tail, while the underparts are whitish, transitioning to buffy on the flanks. A distinct pale supercilium above a dark loral mask helps differentiate it, complemented by a grayish crown and nape. This speci...
Found primarily in lowland areas, the Lesser Hornero inhabits open wetlands, often near streams, lakes, ponds, and riverbanks, frequently in areas with emergent vegetation.
Their diet consists primarily of small terrestrial invertebrates, including insects (beetles, ants, larvae) and spiders, which they glean and probe from soft mud and vegetation.
Lesser Horneros are diurnal and typically observed singly or in pairs, tirelessly foraging during daylight hours and roosting communally or individually in dense vegetation at night. Their foraging strategy involves actively walking along water edges or on floating vegetation, probing soft mud or...
The Lesser Hornero has a somewhat restricted but stable geographic distribution within central and northern South America. Its primary breeding range encompasses eastern Bolivia, western and central Brazil, northern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina, extending south to parts of Corrientes prov...
Least Concern
- The Lesser Hornero is the smallest species within the genus Furnarius, often overshadowed by its larger, more famous relative, the Rufous Hornero. - Like all horneros, it earns its common name from its remarkable 'oven-like' nest, a sturdy structure built entirely from mud, clay, and plant fibe...