Rufous Hornero

7.5 Above rufous-brown with an indistinct buffy superciliary, and a rusty brown forehead. Below light buffy brown. Throat, center of belly and crissum whitish. Populations in the north are more rufous-brown above and have more buff on belly. Immature plumage like adult plumage ^41 . Song is a staccato sequence of "chit" or "tchreet" notes often given as duet. It rises then lowers pitch and sometimes the staccato sequences become slower. Also a "tchak tchak" note. Fearless and noisy, often close to human habitation and on road sides, running around on the ground or perched on posts. The mud nests are conspicuous in areas where the species is common. Widespread and common in open country with bushes and scattered trees and near buildings. Has without any doubt benefited from the wholesale deforestation. At Fazenda Intervales I found a pair 26 km away from the administration buildings on the Carmu road deep within primary forest Throughout, less common on coast. Mostly below 1700 meters. An invader following deforestation. 6950 Pair song. Pocone, Pantanal, Mato Grosso, 8<10>3<10>97. Sunny, 30<91>C. Open country near water and swamps. With /Campylorhynchus turdinus, Ortalis ruficauda, Pitangus sulphuratus, Theristicus caudatus .: 868 Calls. Pocone, Pantanal, Mato Grosso, 8<10>4<10>97. Sunny, 28<91>C. Open country with single trees and bushes.: 15548 Pair song. Pocone, Pantanal, Mato Grosso, 8<10>4<10>97. Sunny, 30 <91>C. Open country: 13128 Song. Fazenda Intervales, 11<10>30<10>97. Sunny, 27<91>C. Open country with trees and bushes.: 10112 Song. Serra da Canastra, 11<10>11<10>98. Cloudy, 25<91>C. Pastures. With /Columbina squammata .: 2879 Calls. Cornell Cat 25415. Fazenda S<C4>o Roberto, Quarrai, Rio Grande do Sul, 08<10>81. with /Myiopsitta monachus , recordist"s squeaks. Recording by William Belton.: 5243 >: