Post by OldGreenVulture on Sept 27, 2019 11:43:09 GMT
Rufous Hornero - Furnarius rufus.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Furnarius
Species: F. rufus
Description: The rufous hornero is a medium-sized ovenbird at 18 to 20 centimetres (7–8 in) and 31 to 58 grams (1.1–2.05 oz), with males being heavier. It has a slender and slightly decurved bill suited to eating insects, which is horn-coloured with a length of 2.5 centimetres (1.0 in). Wings length is 10.2 centimetres (4 in), with males generally being larger. The tail is short at 7.1 centimetres (2.8 in). The measurements of the species may differ due to the Bergmann's rule.
The sexes are not dimorphic in their plumage. It has a rufous brown back and pale buffy brown underparts. Its wings are pale brown except for the flight feathers which are blackish with cinnamon wingbars.
Habitat and distribution: The common hornero is endemic to South America and is generally found in sparse vegetation habitats such as grasslands and brush. It is also observed in urban parks, agricultural lands, gardens and other urban areas. The habitat of this bird must contain mud for the construction of the nest. The common hornero usually lives in the lowlands, close to bodies of water, although its area of residence also includes habitats in Bolivia at 3500 m. The common hornero is distributed from northern Bolivia and central Brazil to Uruguay and the center of Argentina.
Diet: The common hornero feeds mainly on insects such as crickets, cockroaches, butterflies, beetles, locusts, ants and southern green stink bug, and other small invertebrates such as worms, snails, worms and spiders are part of their diet. Occasionally, it feeds on seeds, vegetables, fruits and bread, and it is recorded that the common hornero is able to capture small fish and tadpoles for consumption. This bird gathers its food mostly while walking or doing small trots. It is common to see it on the ground looking for its food among the dry leaves and the sparse vegetation. It also records the mud and bark of the trees in search of possible prey, if it catches an invertebrate or an insect too large it will dismember it.
The common hornero usually looks for his food alone or with his partner, although it can also be integrated eventually into a group of "calandrias" (Mimus saturninus). During the breeding season, the chicks are fed with dragonflies, caterpillars, flies and other small insects and invertebrates.
Breeding: 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. A clutch generally contains two to four eggs. The eggs are laid every second 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 feed the young. Horneros may or may not reuse nests, therefore it is quite common to see several nests close to each other (or even atop older nests) at the same nesting site. However, a formerly unused nest may be repaired for a new breeding season.
Predators: Predators of adult and young rufous horneros include birds of prey such as the black-chested buzzard-eagle Buteo melanoleucus, small mammals, domestic cats, and a number of species of snakes and possibly lizards. However, its covered nest probably reduces predation risk.
Status: The rufous hornero has benefited from human changes to the environment and many live in highly modified habitat, such as city suburbs. In turn abandoned hornero nests may be of benefit to various other species of birds that nest in its unused "ovens". The saffron finch is one species that commonly nests in old ovenbird nests. The rufous hornero is a familiar sight over much of its range and has been adopted as the national bird of Argentina and Uruguay. It is not threatened by human activities and is listed as least concern by the IUCN.
From Carnivora.
carnivora.net/rufous-hornero-furnarius-rufus-t4515.html#p30186
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Furnariidae
Genus: Furnarius
Species: F. rufus
Description: The rufous hornero is a medium-sized ovenbird at 18 to 20 centimetres (7–8 in) and 31 to 58 grams (1.1–2.05 oz), with males being heavier. It has a slender and slightly decurved bill suited to eating insects, which is horn-coloured with a length of 2.5 centimetres (1.0 in). Wings length is 10.2 centimetres (4 in), with males generally being larger. The tail is short at 7.1 centimetres (2.8 in). The measurements of the species may differ due to the Bergmann's rule.
The sexes are not dimorphic in their plumage. It has a rufous brown back and pale buffy brown underparts. Its wings are pale brown except for the flight feathers which are blackish with cinnamon wingbars.
Habitat and distribution: The common hornero is endemic to South America and is generally found in sparse vegetation habitats such as grasslands and brush. It is also observed in urban parks, agricultural lands, gardens and other urban areas. The habitat of this bird must contain mud for the construction of the nest. The common hornero usually lives in the lowlands, close to bodies of water, although its area of residence also includes habitats in Bolivia at 3500 m. The common hornero is distributed from northern Bolivia and central Brazil to Uruguay and the center of Argentina.
Diet: The common hornero feeds mainly on insects such as crickets, cockroaches, butterflies, beetles, locusts, ants and southern green stink bug, and other small invertebrates such as worms, snails, worms and spiders are part of their diet. Occasionally, it feeds on seeds, vegetables, fruits and bread, and it is recorded that the common hornero is able to capture small fish and tadpoles for consumption. This bird gathers its food mostly while walking or doing small trots. It is common to see it on the ground looking for its food among the dry leaves and the sparse vegetation. It also records the mud and bark of the trees in search of possible prey, if it catches an invertebrate or an insect too large it will dismember it.
The common hornero usually looks for his food alone or with his partner, although it can also be integrated eventually into a group of "calandrias" (Mimus saturninus). During the breeding season, the chicks are fed with dragonflies, caterpillars, flies and other small insects and invertebrates.
Breeding: 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. A clutch generally contains two to four eggs. The eggs are laid every second 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 feed the young. Horneros may or may not reuse nests, therefore it is quite common to see several nests close to each other (or even atop older nests) at the same nesting site. However, a formerly unused nest may be repaired for a new breeding season.
Predators: Predators of adult and young rufous horneros include birds of prey such as the black-chested buzzard-eagle Buteo melanoleucus, small mammals, domestic cats, and a number of species of snakes and possibly lizards. However, its covered nest probably reduces predation risk.
Status: The rufous hornero has benefited from human changes to the environment and many live in highly modified habitat, such as city suburbs. In turn abandoned hornero nests may be of benefit to various other species of birds that nest in its unused "ovens". The saffron finch is one species that commonly nests in old ovenbird nests. The rufous hornero is a familiar sight over much of its range and has been adopted as the national bird of Argentina and Uruguay. It is not threatened by human activities and is listed as least concern by the IUCN.
From Carnivora.
carnivora.net/rufous-hornero-furnarius-rufus-t4515.html#p30186