Rufous-tailed Plantcutter
Phytotoma rara
Distinctive bird found in varied wooded and semiopen habitats, from town gardens to meadows and bogs in Andean foothills. Often seen perched on roadside wires. Generally sluggish—like an avian sloth. Feeds on new leaves, flowers, and often cuts grass on lawns! Handsome male is striking, with bright rusty underparts, white wing patches, and ruby-red eyes. Female is much plainer with streaked underparts and ruby-red eyes. Rufous band on base of tail is often hard to see.
Identification
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. The song is a series of stuttering notes followed by a rasping trill similar to the noise made by a fishing reel.<p>The finch-like bill is short and thick with serrated edges and is used for stripping off buds, leaves and fruits. Insects are eaten on occasions and are fed to the chicks.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phytotoma rara
- Authority
- Molina, 1782
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Tityridae
- Genus
- Phytotoma
Range and habitat
The rufous-tailed plantcutter is found further south than any other cotinga, inhabiting scrub, forest edge and river valleys in Chile and western Argentina. The range extends from Magallanes region north to Atacama in Chile and from Santa Cruz north to Mendoza in Argentina. Birds breeding in southern or high-altitude regions move northwards or towards the lowlands in winter. It has been recorded as a vagrant to the Falkland Islands. Birds are often seen in gardens, farmland and orchards and are sometimes considered to be a pest. The nest is a cup of root fibres and twigs built in a fork in a shrub or tree. Two to four eggs are laid, they are blue-green with dark spots concentrated at the larger end.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-headed Swamphen
Porphyrio poliocephalus
A very large bluish-purple waterbird with a red bill and forehead shield, as well as red legs and feet with long toes. The tail is flicked up often, revealing fluffy white “underpants.” Juveniles are duller than adults and lack the red bill and shield. An inhabitant of marshy, vegetated freshwater bodies such as swamps, rivers, and lakes; usually in small groups. Feeds, often clumsily, at muddy water edges, in reeds, and on floating vegetation. Makes short nasal grunts and croaking sounds. Formerly part of the species known as Purple Swamphen.
Green-backed White-eye
Zosterops xanthochroa
A classic small greenish-yellow white-eye species with bold white eye-rings. Common in more humid habitats throughout New Caledonia; mostly replaced by Silvereye in drier and more disturbed areas, though the two can be found together. Green-backed is plainer overall than Silverye, without any contrasting plumage apart from the eyering. Has a typical white-eye vocal repertoire, with a high-pitched wheezy warbling song and high-pitched piercing quavering call notes.
White-bellied Seedsnipe
Attagis malouinus
Chunky, generally scarce, rather grouselike bird of bleak moorland, bogs, and rocky slopes above timberline; in winter, sometimes descends to lowland Patagonian steppe, when it can be seen along roadsides. Found in pairs or small groups. Lacey “chainmail” pattern to upperparts is beautifully cryptic, and birds sometimes freeze when alarmed making them more difficult to see. No similar species in range; note the short stout bill and contrasting snowy-white belly. Flight strong and fast; flushes with loud shrieking choruses.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.