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Photo: DickDaniels (http://theworldbirds.org/) / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter

Phytotoma rara

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.

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The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara) is a member of the Cotingidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 47 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Passeriformes
  3. Family Cotingidae Cotingas
  4. Genus Phytotoma
  5. Species rara

Where it lives

Chile, western Argentina

Quick facts

Weight
47 g
Family
Cotingidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Behaviour

A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.

Migration

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara) is a species of bird in the Cotingidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA Chile, w Argentina.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 47 g, with a wing length of about 8.9 cm and a tail of around 8 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 478,000 km².

Songs & calls

Rufous-tailed Plantcutter — Call, song

Recorded by Cristian Pinto Fernandez Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter?

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 47 g.

Where does the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter live?

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is found across South America with a range covering SA Chile, w Argentina, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter belong to?

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter (Phytotoma rara) belongs to the Cotingidae family, in the order Passeriformes.

What does the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter eat?

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Does the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter migrate?

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter make?

1 real field recording of the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Rufous-tailed Plantcutter's range?

The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter has a mapped global range of about 478,000 km².

Conservation

Least Concern

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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