Rufous-tailed Plantcutter Phytotoma rara Chilean name: Rara |
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Chile November / December 2005 The Rufous-tailed Plantcutter is distributed in central and southern Chile and adjacent areas of Argentina. It breeds as far south as Torres del Paine but these southern populations migrate northwards during the winter. |
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It is the most southerly member of the Cotinga family. In fact the 3 plantcutters are the only cotingids that don't live in forest preferring more open habitats such as scrub and open woodland where they feed on grasses as well as buds, leaves and the fruits of trees and bushes. Nestlings are fed on insects. They are usually seen either singly or in pairs (as seen in photo 5). | ||||
The male, seen here in photos 1, 2 and 3, has striking chestnut underparts and crown, a red eye and black bill. The rufous tail of its name refers to the rufous base of the undertail. The female (photo 4) is heavily streaked grey-brown but shares the red eye and black bill. |
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