Brazil

This is a Brazilian endemic of which there are two populations. The first is in eastern Brazil from Maranhão to south Bahia and extending into Espírito Santo as can be seen from the second and third photos taken at Linhares. The disjunct population is of the sub-species F. f. pileatus in east Amazonas, central Pará and the upper Rio Araguaia. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

It can usually be distinguished from the very similar Pale-legged Hornero F. leucopus by its dull greyish legs, its generally duller colouring including a less contrasting white throat and, sometimes, by the black tips to the tail feathers.