El Hornero: a collective construction that continues to grow

Abstract

This editorial note marks the end of one era and the beginning of a new one for El Hornero. It concludes Sergio Lambertucci's tenure as Editor-in-Chief—a period defined by commitment, openness, and a pursuit of excellence. Under his leadership, the journal experienced sustained growth: its CiteScore increased, its relative ranking improved, citations tripled, the number of published articles rose, and it was incorporated into the Q3 quartile of Scopus’s Animal Science and Zoology category, as reflected in Scimago. These advancements are part of an institutional process initiated in 2020 with the consolidation of the Scientific Department of Aves Argentinas, aimed at strengthening El Hornero and Nuestras Aves. Since then, efforts have focused on editorial punctuality, design updates, the assignment of DOIs, the expansion of indexing including Scopus and DOAJ— and the enhancement of visibility and impact. The note emphasizes that international indicators do not always reflect the full value of a regional journal. It reaffirms Spanish as the primary language, the production of basic knowledge and natural history of the Neotropics, the journal’s formative role, and its independent character, with no costs for authors or readers (Diamond Open Access). Furthermore, it highlights the importance of term-limited editorial tenures as an opportunity for renewal. Within this framework, the journal welcomes Lucía Mentesana as the new Editor-in-Chief and extends its gratitude to the community that sustains the publication. El Hornero thus reaffirms its status as a growing collective project and a cornerstone for Neotropical ornithology.