The Pacific hornero is a species of bird in the Furnariinae subfamily of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Region
Pacific lowlands of northwestern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from southwestern Colombia through the coastal lowlands of Ecuador into northwestern Peru. Favors open and semi-open habitats including dry forests, scrub, pastures, fields, and urban and rural edges. Often found near watercourses and in coastal plains, and readily uses human-made structures for nesting. It is generally a lowland species but can range into foothills locally.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Pacific horneros are renowned for building sturdy, domed mud nests—‘ovens’—on branches, fence posts, and even utility poles. Pairs are strongly territorial and often perform loud, synchronized duets with tail-fanning displays. They adapt well to human-modified landscapes, commonly seen in farms, parks, and roadside areas.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs that defend territories year-round. Both sexes cooperate to build the characteristic mud nest and to rear the young. Nests are often placed on exposed supports, including branches, fence posts, and buildings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, ringing duet of accelerating, rattling notes, with the pair often overlapping and answering each other. Calls carry well across open country and are frequently given during territorial displays. Also emits sharp chips when alarmed.
Plumage
Uniformly warm cinnamon-rufous upperparts with slightly paler, buffy underparts and a clean appearance. Wings and tail are rufous with darker primaries; feathers are smooth without heavy streaking. Shows a pale, diffuse supercilium and a plain face.
Diet
Primarily feeds on terrestrial insects such as beetles, ants, termites, and their larvae, as well as spiders and other small invertebrates. Probes in leaf litter, soil, and debris, and occasionally inspects crevices or mud. Rarely takes small seeds or other plant material incidentally while foraging.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly on the ground in open areas including pastures, field margins, roadsides, and garden lawns. Also works along edges of dry woodland and near watercourses where soft soils and debris accumulate.
