Band-tailed Hornero

The band-tailed hornero, or wing-banded hornero, is a modestly sized member of the ovenbird family, Furnariidae, with a length of 15 to 16 cm and a weight of approximately 28 grams. It is characterized by a long, nearly straight bill and a plumage that is similar in both sexes. This bird is adorned with a chestnut-rufous crown and back, a white supercilium, and a tawny buff malar area. Its tail feathers are chestnut-rufous with brownish black tips on the inner webs, and its wings display rufous coverts and secondaries, with primaries being fuscous and marked by two dark rufous bands.

Identification Tips

To identify the band-tailed hornero, look for its wide white supercilium, dark eye stripe, and dull rufous ear coverts. The bird's underparts transition from a whitish throat to pale tawny-brown, with a whitish belly center and almost white undertail coverts. Its brown iris, brownish bill, and similarly colored legs and feet are additional identifying features.

Habitat

The band-tailed hornero is found in a variety of semi-open to open landscapes, often near water sources such as rivers. Its preferred habitats include woodlands, scrublands, pastures, marsh edges, and urban and suburban gardens and parks.

Distribution

Endemic to Brazil, the band-tailed hornero has two subspecies with distinct ranges. The F. f. pileatus subspecies is located along the Amazon River and its southern tributaries, while the F. f. figulus subspecies is found in eastern Brazil, extending from Maranhão to São Paulo states.

Behaviour

This bird is a year-round resident within its range, foraging on the ground, often turning over leaves and twigs in search of invertebrates. It is known to forage either alone or in pairs.

Song & calls

The band-tailed hornero's song consists of a series of high, staccato notes that decelerate and descend in pitch. Its calls include a harsh "djeep-djeep," as well as "chibit, chep" and "kwee-eh." Pairs may also engage in duets.

Breeding

While the exact breeding season is not fully defined, it includes March and April. The band-tailed hornero is thought to be monogamous and constructs an open cup nest made of grass and plant fibers, lined with feathers and hair. The nest is typically placed at the base of palm leaves, in a bromeliad, or occasionally in a building crevice. Clutch size is two eggs, with an incubation period of about 20 days. Fledging times and parental care details are not well documented.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the band-tailed hornero as Least Concern. It has a very large range and an expanding population, with no immediate threats identified. The species is present in at least two protected areas, and while its population is considered small due to the patchy nature of its habitat, the nominate subspecies is experiencing range expansion.