Ovenbird (family) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ovenbirds |
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| Scaly-throated foliage-gleaner (Anabacerthia variegaticeps) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Infraorder: | Tyrannides |
| Family: | Furnariidae Gray, 1840 |
| Subfamilies | |
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Ovenbirds or furnariids are a large group of small birds. You can find them from Mexico and Central America all the way to southern South America. They belong to the family called Furnariidae. It's important to know that the bird simply called the "ovenbird" (Seiurus aurocapilla) is a different kind of bird. It lives in North America and is part of the New World warbler family, not the ovenbird family we are talking about here.
These ovenbirds are a very varied group. Most of them eat insects. They got their name because some species, like the horneros, build amazing nests that look a bit like old clay ovens. The word horno means "oven" in Spanish, which is where the horneros get their name. Even though horneros build these special clay nests, most other ovenbirds build nests from sticks. Some even nest in tunnels or cracks in rocks.
All furnariid nests have a roof or cover. The female birds lay up to six eggs, which can be pale blue, greenish, or white. The eggs usually hatch after 15 to 22 days. The young birds are then ready to fly out of the nest after another 13 to 20 days.
These birds come in different sizes, from about 9 to 35 centimeters long. You can find them in almost any habitat in Central and South America. Some, like the rufous horneros, live in city parks. Many foliage-gleaners live in the warm, wet Amazon rainforest. Other species, like several miners, live in the cool, high Andes mountains. Two types, the seaside and the surf cinclodes, even live near rocky coasts!
Contents
How Ovenbirds Are Grouped
Scientists group living things into families based on how they are related. Recently, birds called woodcreepers were added to the ovenbird family. This happened after scientists studied their DNA. DNA is like a blueprint that shows how different animals are connected.
Even though they are now in the same family, ovenbirds and woodcreepers are still divided into smaller groups. This helps scientists understand their relationships better. Here are the main subfamilies:
Sclerurinae: Miners and Leaftossers
This group includes birds like the miners and leaftossers. Miners are known for digging tunnels.
Dendrocolaptinae: Woodcreepers
Woodcreepers are birds that climb up tree trunks, often looking for insects in the bark. They have strong bills that help them do this. Some examples include the woodcreepers and narrow-billed woodcreepers.
Furnariinae: Neotropical Ovenbirds and Allies
This is the largest group and includes the true ovenbirds and many other related birds. It has many different types, such as:
- Horneros and Allies: This group includes the famous horneros that build the oven-like nests.
- Foliage-gleaners and Allies: These birds often search for insects among leaves and branches.
- Spinetails and Allies: This group includes many species like the tit-spinetails and spinetails.
Images for kids
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Scaly-throated foliage-gleaner (Anabacerthia variegaticeps)
See also
In Spanish: Furnáridos para niños
