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Rufous Hornero


Rufous Hornero
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-08-04
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D70, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/125 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-31 4:30
Viewed: 1262
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Photographed near a farm in the Pantanal.

The Rufous Hornero, Furnarius rufus, is a large ovenbird from eastern South America. Also known as the Red Ovenbird, it is a common species of second-growth scrub, pastures and agricultural land, and the species is often seen near areas of human inhabitation. Its range includes south eastern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and northern and central Argentina (down to northern Patagonia). The species is most closely related to the Crested Hornero of Paraguay and Argentina. There are four accepted subspecies.

Overview
The Rufous Hornero is a large ovenbird (19 cm) with a square tail and a straight bill. The plumage is overall reddish brown with a dull brown crown and a whitish throat. Both sexes look alike, and juvenile birds are slightly paler below. Rufous Horneros feed on insects and other arthropods obtained by foraging on the ground while walking.

The Rufous Hornero breeds in the austral summer, laying eggs between September and December and raising nestlings between October and January. The species is monogamous and will maintain the pair bond for many years, even for life. The nest of the species is typical for the genus, a large thick clay "oven" placed on a tree, or more recently on man made structures such as fenceposts, telephone poles or buildings. Pairs remain together throughout the year and will work on the nest during that time; nests can be constructed in as little as 15 days but are usually completed in 2-3 months. Between 2-4 eggs are laid and incubated for 14-18 days. Chicks are fed for 23-26 days before fledging; young birds remain in the parental territory for around 6 months after fledging. Both parents undertake incubation and feeding responsibilities. The birds do not use the same "oven" for succeeding breeding-seasons, therefore it is quite common to see a number of structures - from two to three - close to each other (or even atop each other) at the same nesting area. However, a formerly unused nest can be repaired for a new breeding-season.

The Rufous Hornero has benefited from human changes to the environment and many live in highly modified habitat. Conversely, it can benefit various other species of birds, such as the Saffron Finch, who nest at its unused "ovens". It is a familiar sight over much of its range and has been adopted as the national bird of Argentina.
It is not threatened by human activities and is listed as least concern by the IUCN.
marhowie, bahadir, rousettus, jaycee, Necipp, xTauruSx, nglen, boreocypriensis, Adanac, Argus, haraprasan, lucasgalodoido, Luis52, Alex99 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Peter,
This looks similar to the thrasher I just posted with its "rufous" color & basic body structure.
Nicely composed with good detail, exposure, POV, and color.
Well done,
Howard

Hello Peter,
Superb shot of this beauty in all criteria. TFS. Regards,
Bahadır

hello Peter,
Another beautiful bird from Brazil with a nice shot rufous colored and red eyes. Focus, POV and composition also nice. TFS, well done
Ahmet

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-03-31 9:33]

Hi Peter,

I agree with Howard - he does resemble the thrashers. It's always nice to meet a new bird and he is quite handsome. Beautiful colors and he's posing nicely for you.

Jane

Hello Peter, a very good composition with nice light. Good bg blur and nice pose on the bird. Colours look fine, tfs rgds Necip

Hello Peter,
Wonderflul and lovely capture of this beautifull bird. TFS. Regards,
Deniz

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2916 W: 34 N: 8651] (32250)
  • [2008-03-31 12:49]

Hi Peter. An unusual bird with the red in the eye. good detail and colours. with a nice POv/DOF. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hallo Peter,

deze vogel met rode ogen heb ik nog nooit gezien, pracht exmplaar.
good scherp en moi van kleur.

groet Gert

Hi my friend Peter,
What a beautiful bird and well-executed capture! Splendid shot in all respects my friend. TFS.
Cheers,
Bayram

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1381 W: 126 N: 5246] (23469)
  • [2008-03-31 18:42]

Hello Peter, a beautiful composition, the bird is sharp and the exposure is very well done. Great colors and nice background, thanks!

Mario

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1169 W: 1 N: 5208] (17609)
  • [2008-03-31 19:17]

Hello Peter,
Stunning red eye nad beautifully colored plummage are highlights in this wonderful image. Thank you so much for sharing Peter.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393] (35107)
  • [2008-04-01 1:09]

Hello Peter,
Though this image has signs of heavy cropping it is a fine capture of the Ovenbird, taken from an excellent POV that shows the featres, including the red eye and the blurred natural BG helps to set it off well.
Thanks for sharing another fine image of a species that is not often seen on TN, if ever before.
Ivan

Hi Peter,
A nice capture of this beautiful bird. Excellent sharp details and a fine composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hi Peter, lovely bird in nice pose with splendid focus, great colors, fine details and wonderful sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Peter,
beautiful shot this, but the quality is very low, because the low speed for this range (300mm). Maybe one tripod solve this problem. But great work.
Congratulations and Hug!

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2008-04-02 7:43]

Hola Peter.
Bella la foto. Nunca he visto este Pajaro antes. Una imagen muy bien lograda para su presentacion, acompaņada de una nota de gran valor.
Saludos Peter.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-04-03 8:17]

Hello Peter

A lovely capture of this cute little bird.
The plumage detaila nd eye detail is very good.
You have used the natural light to good effect.
Good natural colours.
TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3586 W: 143 N: 5690] (18601)
  • [2008-04-05 9:47]

Hi Peter.
You managed to reflect even eye details of the bird no speaking about other attractive features. Wonderfully composed nice picture. I like impressive sunlight, rich colours and precise DOF. Blurred BG is looked greatly too. My compliments.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2008-04-07 8:15]

Hi Peter,
Excellent shot of this cute little bird with nice colours and details on its plumage. I like that expressive eyes and the posture. Superb lighting and exposure with a fine DOF. Excellent POV to portray it and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

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