Furnarius rufus
The Rufous Hornero (Furnarius rufus) is a medium-sized passerine bird, renowned for its distinctive mud nest. Measuring approximately 18-23 cm (7-9 inches) in length and weighing 31-65 g (1.1-2.3 oz), it exhibits a warm, rufous-brown plumage across its back and wings, contrasting with a dull white throat and breast, often tinged buffy on the flanks. A faint, pale supercilium is a subtle field mark, while its relatively long, slightly decurved bill and strong legs are adapted for its ground-fo...
Found in open or semi-open habitats, including grasslands, agricultural fields, pastures, parks, and suburban areas, often near water sources and human settlements. It thrives in low to mid-elevations across its South American range.
Primarily insectivorous, consuming a wide variety of ground-dwelling invertebrates such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers, crickets, and spiders, occasionally supplemented with seeds. They forage by walking, gleaning, and probing the ground.
Rufous Horneros are diurnal birds, actively foraging from dawn till dusk and roosting in trees or shrubs at night. Their primary foraging strategy involves walking on the ground, gleaning invertebrates from the surface, probing soft soil with their robust bills, and occasionally flipping leaves o...
The Rufous Hornero is widely distributed across a significant portion of central and eastern South America. Its breeding range encompasses much of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia (eastern lowlands), and southern Brazil, extending north into Goiás and Minas Gerais. The species is entirely re...
Least Concern
- The Rufous Hornero is the national bird of Argentina and is widely admired across South America for its industriousness. - Their iconic mud nests can weigh up to 5 kg (11 lbs) and have walls up to 5 cm (2 inches) thick, making them incredibly durable. - Nest construction is a lengthy process, o...