The Furnariidae are a large family of suboscine passerines with 55-69 genera and 240-333 species. The Woodcreepers (Dendrocolaptidae), and Leaftossers and Miners (Scleruridae) have been merged with this family or treated separately. Furnariids are confined to the Neotropics, from central Mexico to the southernmost parts of South America, and the associated islands. Nearly 90% of species are found only in South America. Ovenbirds are most diverse in tropical forests, but are also found in savannas, grasslands, scrub, deserts, wetlands, scrub, and rocky intertidal zones; from sea level to 4,500 m. Some species are migratory or undertake altitudinal movements.

These are small to medium sized birds (10-35 cm in length) with short, rounded wings, and diverse bill morphology. The rectrices are often stiffened, with bare feather tips, an adaptation for climbing. The plumage varies from brown to reddish, often with spots and stripes. Ovenbirds build oven-like mud nests, and domed twig nests, but also nest in tree cavities and burrows in cliffs or riverbanks. Some nests have tubular entrances 30-40 cm long. Clutch 2-6 eggs, white or bluish; incubation lasts 14-22 days. The chicks are altricial and fledge in 13-29 days. Furnariids feed mainly on arthropods and other invertebrates, including snails and worms; occasionally small frogs, bird eggs, seeds and fruit. Some species join mixed-species flocks outside the nesting season.

		Pallid Spinetail (Cranioleuca pallida)
		Plain Xenops (Xenops minutus)
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