Rufous Hornero, Brazil
By Charlie • May 23, 2009 • 2 commentsThe Rufous Hornero Furnarius rufus is very common in open country in the southern half of South America east of the Andes and is the national bird of Argentina. Rather thrush-like, Horneros (there are eight species of Furnarius) are actually funariids, a diverse family which currently includes seemingly unrelated tribes as the ‘true ovenbirds’ (which includes the horneros), Woodcreepers, and spinetails.
Rufous Horneros feed on insects and other arthropods obtained by foraging on the ground while walking with a peculiar ‘tripping’ strut. In public parks and other sites where the horneros are habituated to people they can be remarkably unafraid and will more or less walk over your feet. These two birds were were photographed in Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park.
‘Hornero’ is the Spanish word for a baker, and the birds are named for the remarkable mud nests they build, which look somewhat like miniature versions of the clay/mud ovens (or “hornos”) that can be seen outside many houses in rural South America. These nests consist of two chambers so that the chicks inside are protected from predators and the wind, and are built in prominent positions in trees or on any suitable man-made object such as telephone or electricity posts: they’re an unmissable part of the South American countryside and once you realise what they are you tend to spot them all over the place. The nests below were also photographed in Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park, and were in two adjacent trees close to a well-used pathway.
All photographs copyright Charlie Moores
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It’s just amazing to me - the knowledge of the parent to build two-chamber mud nests! And these photos are magnificent, Charlie. Yes, you are truly blessed to be able to document these wonderful little creatures!
Are you sure this is not a Clamorous Reed Warbler?