Where does the Rufous Hornero live?
Furnarius rufus
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Open the appThe Rufous Hornero lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
Biomes
Grasslands, savannas, agricultural lands, open woodlands, urban and suburban areas.
Geographic range
Eastern South America, including southeastern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern and central Argentina.
Preferred environments
Prefers open areas with scattered trees or shrubs, pastures, parks, gardens, and cultivated fields. It is highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes.
Elevation range
Primarily lowlands, from sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in some parts of its range.
Where to look
Urban Parks and Gardens
Common in well-vegetated urban areas, often seen foraging on lawns or perched on structures.
Agricultural Fields and Pastures
Frequently found in open agricultural landscapes, especially where there are fence posts or scattered trees for nesting.
Roadsides and Utility Poles
Nests are often built on utility poles or other human-made structures along roadsides, making them easily visible.
Open Woodlands and Savannas
In more natural settings, they prefer open woodlands, savannas, and scrublands with suitable foraging grounds.
Field tips
- Look for the Nest. The large, mud 'oven' nest is often easier to spot than the bird itself. Once you locate a nest, the birds are usually nearby.
- Listen for the Song. Their loud, chattering duet is very distinctive and often given from a prominent perch, making them easier to locate by sound.
- Observe Ground Foraging. Watch open ground areas, especially after rain, as they frequently forage for invertebrates by probing the soil.
- Check Prominent Perches. They often perch conspicuously on fence posts, wires, tree branches, or rooftops, especially when singing or surveying their territory.
Migration
Resident throughout its range; it does not undertake significant migratory movements.
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