Biology
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Although the rufous-tailed plantcutter has a clear preference for vegetative matter, such as leaves, shoots and buds, it will occasionally take fruits and insects, while nestlings are fed almost exclusively with insects (2) (4). During the breeding season, this species forages in pairs, but at other time it aggregates in small groups of six to twelve birds (2).
The rufous tailed plantcutter has two distinct breeding seasons, from October to November, and December to January (2). The loosely built nest is made from dry twigs, padded with root fibres, and usually placed between one to three metres above the ground in thick thorny scrub (2) (3). Each breeding pair is known to incubate two to four eggs for around two weeks, but the length of the nestling period is yet to be documented. Although most populations are sedentary, those in the extreme south tend to move northwards during the winter, whilst those breeding at high altitudes tend to move to lower elevations (2).
Conservation
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There are no known conservation measures in place for the rufous-tailed plantcutter, but it is present in numerous protected areas including La Campana-Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve and Puyehue National Park in Chile, and Nahuel Huapi National Park and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina (2).
Description
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Although bulky for its size (3), the rufous-tailed plantcutter is actually one of the world's smallest herbivorous bird species (4) (5) (6). Attractively patterned in various shades of grey, black and rufous (7), its upperparts are broadly streaked blackish-brown with a band of white on the wings, while the throat, breast, belly and outer tail feathers are orange-rufous. The crown is chestnut, the sides of the head are black, and the eye is bright red (2). The short, rounded bill has a finely serrated cutting edge that enables it to pluck leaves, hence the common name plantcutter (3). The female is paler than the male and has buffy underparts streaked with black, while juveniles are generally uniformly grey-brown (2).
Habitat
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Found from sea-level to 2,700 metres, in open forests and thorny scrub, as well as farmland, orchards and gardens (2) (4) (5).
Range
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With a distribution that comprises central and southern Chile, and south-western Argentina (2), the rufous-tailed plantcutter is the southernmost of the three Phytotoma species (4) (5) (6).
Status
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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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In addition to having a large distribution, there are not known to be any major threats to the rufous-tailed plantcutter (8). Furthermore, given its occurrence in secondary forests, agricultural areas and even gardens, it appears to be relatively tolerant of disturbance. Owing to its habit of eating the young leaves of cereal crops and causing damage to orchards, it is considered an agricultural pest in parts of its range (2).
Rufous-tailed plantcutter
provided by wikipedia EN
The rufous-tailed plantcutter (Phytotoma rara), 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".
Description
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.
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.
Distribution 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.
Status
This bird has a very wide range and though not particularly common, is presumed to have a large total population. The population trend is thought to be stable and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the bird's conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
References
- Alvaro Jaramillo, Peter Burke & David Beadle (2003) Field Guide to the Birds of Chile, Christopher Helm, London
- Michael Walters (1994) Eyewitness Handbooks: Birds' Eggs, Dorling Kindersley`, London
- Robin W. Woods (1988) Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands, Anthony Nelson, Oswestry
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Rufous-tailed plantcutter: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
The rufous-tailed plantcutter (Phytotoma rara), 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".
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