Furnariini
A tribe of Neotropical ovenbirds including horneros and earthcreepers.
Furnariini is a tribe within the subfamily Furnariinae of the ovenbird family (Furnariidae). This group includes horneros and their allies, such as tuftedcheeks, barbtails, earthcreepers, cinclodes, the sharp-tailed streamcreeper, the wren-like rushbird, and the curve-billed reedhaunter. The tribe is named after the horneros, which build elaborate, vaguely 'oven-like' clay nests that give the entire family its common name.
- field
- Ornithology
- known_for
- Includes horneros, earthcreepers, cinclodes, and other Neotropical ovenbirds
- taxonomic_rank
- Tribe within subfamily Furnariinae
- constituent_genera
- Pseudocolaptes, Premnornis, Tarphonomus, Geocerthia, Upucerthia, Cinclodes, Furnarius, Lochmias, Phleocryptes, Limnornis
Lore & Background
The tribe Furnariini was defined in 2009 by Robert Moyle and collaborators, but that definition does not fit well with the revised taxonomy of a 2020 genetic study by Michael Harvey and collaborators. In the Harvey phylogeny, the tribe Furnariini as defined in 2009 is not monophyletic. The taxonomic arrangement presented in the source article is based on molecular genetic studies, but because ovenbirds and woodcreepers are treated as a single family, some taxonomic ranks were modified.
Reader's Guide
The tribe Furnariini represents a significant grouping within the ovenbird family, containing some of the most recognizable species such as the horneros (genus Furnarius), which build the iconic clay nests that give the entire family its name. The tribe also includes earthcreepers (genera Upucerthia, Tarphonomus, Geocerthia), cinclodes (Cinclodes), and several other specialized genera. Two cinclodes species, the seaside and surf cinclodes, are associated with rocky coasts. The tribe's taxonomy has been subject to revision; the 2009 tribal definition by Moyle was found not to be monophyletic in the 2020 Harvey phylogeny. The fossil record of the family includes a species of Cinclodes (Cinclodes major) from the Pleistocene of Argentina, indicating the antiquity of this lineage. Furnariini species occupy diverse Neotropical habitats, from city parks inhabited by rufous horneros to temperate barren Andean highlands inhabited by earthcreepers.
Did You Know?
- The tribe Furnariini includes the horneros, which build elaborate, vaguely 'oven-like' clay nests that give the entire ovenbird family its name.
- Two species of cinclodes, the seaside and surf cinclodes, are associated with rocky coasts.
- A fossil species of Cinclodes, Cinclodes major, has been found from the Pleistocene of Argentina.
- The tribe Furnariini as defined in 2009 is not monophyletic according to a 2020 genetic study.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Furnariini?
Furnariini is a tribe of Neotropical ovenbirds nested within the subfamily Furnariinae of the family Furnariidae. It groups together several genera of small, often cryptically colored birds found across the Americas south of the United States.
What birds belong to the tribe Furnariini?
The tribe spans ten genera, including horneros (Furnarius), earthcreepers (Geocerthia and Upucerthia), cinclodes (Cinclodes), barbtails (Phleocryptes), tuftedcheeks, the sharp-tailed streamcreeper, the wren-like rushbird, and the curve-billed reedhaunter. Together they cover a wide range of small, ground- or reed-associated ovenbirds.
Why is the tribe named Furnariini?
The name derives from the genus Furnarius, the horneros, which are famous for constructing large, dome-shaped clay nests that look like miniature ovens. This nesting trait is so iconic that it gave the entire Furnariidae family its common name 'ovenbirds.'
Where can you find Furnariini species in the wild?
Every member of this tribe is restricted to the Neotropical region, spanning Central and South America. Different genera occupy distinct microhabitats, from dry scrublands favored by earthcreepers to streamside reed beds occupied by the curve-billed reedhaunter.
What makes horneros the 'namesake' of Furnariini?
Horneros are the most visually striking and behaviorally distinctive members of the tribe, building elaborate clay-and-grass nests that resemble small ovens. Their remarkable nesting architecture is the single feature that anchors the tribe's identity and the family's common name.
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