Rufous-tailed Plantcutter
Phytotoma rara
The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara) is a uncommon cotinga found in 2 countries, weighing about 47 g. The rufous-tailed plantcutter, sometimes called the Chilean plantcutter, is a passerine bird of southern South America, now placed in the cotinga family.
About the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter
The rufous-tailed plantcutter, sometimes called the Chilean plantcutter, is a passerine bird of southern South America, now placed in the cotinga family. It is a medium-sized bird about 19 centimetres (7.5 in) long with a long black tail with a red base. Males have greyish-brown upper parts, a chestnut crown and breast, and dark facial markings. Females are similar but lack the chestnut crown and have streaked, buff underparts. There is a wing bar which is white in the male and buff in the female. This is a fairly common species with a wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
It is a stocky bird, 18-20 centimetres in length, with short wings and a red eye. The longish tail is black with a reddish base. The upperparts of the male are grey-brown with dark streaks while the crown and underparts are chestnut-coloured. There is a white bar on the wing and a pattern of dark and pale areas on the face. Females have buff underparts with brown streaks and have buff rather than white in the wings. They do not have the males' chestnut crown but may show a cinnamon wash to the forehead and throat.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-tailed Plantcutter?
- It is a stocky bird, 18-20 centimetres in length, with short wings and a red eye. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-tailed Plantcutter?
- The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is a small sized bird weighing about 47 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-tailed Plantcutter?
- The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter occurs in 2 countries, including Chile and Argentina.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-tailed Plantcutter?
- The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is most easily confused with the White-tipped Plantcutter and the Peruvian Plantcutter.
- Is the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter endangered?
- The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
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