Rufous-capped Thornbill vs Rufous-booted Racket-tail

Chalcostigma ruficeps compared with Ocreatus addae

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Rufous-capped Thornbill Rufous-booted Racket-tail
Scientific Name Chalcostigma ruficeps Ocreatus addae
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Not Evaluated
Length
Wingspan 11.6 cm (4.6 in)
Weight 3.6666666666666665 g (0.13 oz) 3.0 g (0.11 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Peruvian and Bolivian puna; forages at Chuquiraga and low shrubs. Catches tiny arthropods. Nectarivore of Bolivian and Peruvian cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and bromeliads. Gleans small insects from …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Rufous-capped Thornbill only

None

Rufous-booted Racket-tail only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Rufous-capped Thornbill

Song

Melodic, descending phrase with warm timbre; clear notes stepping down smoothly in relaxed musical progression.

Rufous-booted Racket-tail

Song

Deep, resonant hum barely audible; extremely low vibration barely perceptible during hovering near high-altitude flowers.

Geographic Range & Migration

Rufous-capped Thornbill

Found on the eastern Andean slope from Ecuador south to Bolivia in lower montane forest. 1,200–2,600 m elevation.

Rufous-booted Racket-tail

Found in cloud forests of northern Bolivia and adjacent Peru and Brazil at 400–1,400 m elevation.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Rufous-capped Thornbill

Not Evaluated

Rufous-booted Racket-tail

About These Birds

Rufous-capped Thornbill

A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests and páramo from Ecuador to Bolivia at 2,500-4,000 m. Rufous cap and green plumage. Nectarivore of high-altitude shrubs and Puya bromeliads. Often found near treeline in elfin forest.

Rufous-booted Racket-tail

A small hummingbird (8-10 cm plus tail rackets) found in Andean cloud forests of southeastern Peru and Bolivia at 1,200-2,200 m. Males have rufous leg puffs instead of white. Recently split from Booted Racket-tail. Nectarivore of montane forest undergrowth.

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