The rufous hornero is a medium-sized ovenbird in the family Furnariidae. It occurs in eastern South America and is the national bird of Argentina. Also known as the red ovenbird, it is common in savannas, second-growth scrub, pastures, and agricultural land and is synanthropic. Its range includes midwestern, southeastern, and southern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern and central Argentina, extending as far south as northern Patagonia. The species is most closely related to the crested hornero of Paraguay and Argentina. There are four accepted subspecies.
Region
Eastern and southern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from midwestern, southeastern, and southern Brazil through Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay into northern and central Argentina, reaching as far south as northern Patagonia. It favors open and semi-open habitats including savannas, pastures, second-growth scrub, and agricultural landscapes. Common in human-modified environments such as roadside verges, gardens, and urban parks. Avoids dense rainforest and extremely arid deserts but occupies a broad range of lightly wooded and grassy areas.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Famous for its dome-shaped mud "oven" nest with a side entrance, which the pair builds together and often refurbishes each year. It readily lives alongside people in towns, farms, and parks and is the national bird of Argentina. Pairs are strongly territorial and perform loud duets while flicking their wings.
Rufous hornero drawn by François-Nicolas Martinet sometime before 1780 for the book Histoire Naturelle.
Temperament
bold and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Typically found in lifelong pairs that defend territories year-round. Both sexes cooperate in building the characteristic mud oven nest and in incubation and chick-rearing. Nests may be reused or repaired across seasons and are often placed on trees, fence posts, rooftops, or utility poles.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A loud, rattling duet of accelerating notes delivered by both sexes, often accompanied by wing-flicking displays. Calls are sharp and mechanical-sounding, carrying well across open country.
Plumage
Warm rufous-brown upperparts with paler cinnamon underparts, a whitish throat, and rufous tail and wings; overall plain but rich earthy tones.
Diet
Primarily eats insects and other small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, termites, spiders, and larvae. Forages mostly on the ground, probing soil, leaf litter, and dung, and gleaning from short vegetation. Occasionally takes small snails or other invertebrates when available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open ground of pastures, lawns, road edges, and field margins, often near human habitation. Also uses lightly wooded areas and scrub with ample bare ground for foraging.
