The first notes taken on the species were made by Philibert Commerson in 1767, from a specimen obtained at Barragán cove during Louis Antoine de Bougainville's expedition.

[3] Commerson named the bird Turdus fulvus and his notes were later published by Georges Buffon in his Histoire Naturelle in 1779.

[4] However, the rufous hornero was first scientifically described, as Merops rufus, by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in the 13th edition of Systema Naturae published in 1788.

Its closest relative is the crested hornero, which is considered its sister species due to similar behavior and plumage pattern.

Four subspecies are recognized based on plumage and size:[12] The rufous hornero is a medium-sized ovenbird at 18 to 20 centimetres (7–8 in) and 31 to 58 grams (1.1–2.05 oz),[16][17][18] with males being heavier.

It has a slender and slightly decurved bill suited to eating insects, which is horn-coloured with a length of 2.5 centimetres (1.0 in).

The nest of the species is typical for the genus, a large thick clay "oven" placed on a tree, or man-made structures such as fence posts, telephone poles, or buildings.

Predators of adult and young rufous horneros include birds of prey such as the black-chested buzzard-eagle Buteo melanoleucus,[20] small mammals, domestic cats, and a number of species of snakes and possibly lizards.

The rufous hornero has benefited from human changes to the environment and many live in highly modified habitats, such as city suburbs.

The rufous hornero is a familiar sight over much of its range and has been adopted as the national bird of Argentina and Uruguay.