English          -          Wing-banded Hornero 

Portuguese  -          Casaca-de-couro-da-lama

Latin             -          Furnarius figulus

Endemic to Brazil, the wing-banded Hornero has been steadily expanding its range in recent years. It was normally found from Maranhão, in far northeast Brazil, south to about eastern Minas Gerais, but in the last few decades has spread south through Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and has recently arrived in the city of São Paulo. Expansion has been partially ‘fuelled’ by habitat destruction.  

The wing-banded Hornero is around 16 cm long and weighs 34-37 g. Its natural habitats include a wide range of wooded habitats, especially near water and around mudflats. It feeds on insects, other arthropods, and shelllfish - in short, any prey found by upturning stones and litter. 

The wing-banded hornero breeds in February-September. They nest in a shallow oval cup made of dry grasses, cotton and other plant fibres, as well as feathers, and sometimes lined with pieces of plastic and paper.  The female lays 2 eggs which are incubated by both parents for about 20 days. The chicks are fed by both parents and fledge about 22 days after hatching.

Although the global population size has not been confirmed, this species is described as “fairly common” over its very large breeding range. As previously mentioned, this species are expanding their range, which is expected to be continue.

Photo No. 1 taken in Meaipe - Espirito Santo on exposed rocks at low tide

Photo No 2 taken in Santa Teresa - Espirito Santo at an irragation pond.