Birds Guide

The horneros, also known as ovenbirds (though unrelated to the Ovenbird, which is a parulid warbler) are members of the genus Furnarius in the family Furnariidae, native to South America.

Horneros are rather soft-looking, light-brown birds known for building mud nests that resemble old wood-fired ovens. (The Spanish word "hornero" comes from horno, meaning "oven".) The entrance forms a curved doorway to protect the chicks from intense winds and from predators. The nest contains two chambers for the 3–4 chicks.

An adult hornero can frequently be seen sitting on top of its nest. When distressed while it is inside, it forces air out under its wings to create a loud noise sounding like a cry.

Horneros are a national emblem of Argentina, one of the many countries they inhabit.

Hornero building a nest in Minas Gerais, Brazil

References

• Furnarius (TSN 557691). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 13 March 2006.

External links

• Hornero videos on the Internet Bird Collection