Rufous-tailed Plantcutter

Overview

The rufous-tailed plantcutter, or Chilean plantcutter (Phytotoma rara), is a medium-sized passerine bird native to southern South America and currently classified in the cotinga family. It 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'.

Identification

• Medium-sized, stocky bird measuring 18–20 cm in length with short wings and a red eye.
• Males possess greyish-brown upper parts with dark streaks, a chestnut crown and breast, and dark facial markings, while females have buff, streaked underparts and lack the chestnut crown.
• Both sexes feature a longish black tail with a reddish base and a wing bar that is white in males and buff in females.
• The song consists of a series of stuttering notes followed by a rasping trill similar to the noise made by a fishing reel.

Habitat

Found in scrub, forest edge, and river valleys across Chile and western Argentina, ranging from Magallanes north to Atacama in Chile and from Santa Cruz north to Mendoza in Argentina. The species is found further south than any other cotinga and is frequently observed in gardens, farmland, and orchards, where it is sometimes considered a pest.

Diet

The bird possesses a finch-like bill that is short, thick, and serrated, which it uses to strip off buds, leaves, and fruits. Insects are consumed occasionally and are specifically fed to the chicks.

Did you know?

Despite its wild habitats, the rufous-tailed plantcutter is often seen in human-modified landscapes such as gardens, farmland, and orchards, leading to it being sometimes considered a pest. It has also been recorded as a vagrant to the Falkland Islands.