Plain-capped Starthroat vs Rufous-booted Racket-tail
Heliomaster constantii compared with Ocreatus addae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Plain-capped Starthroat | Rufous-booted Racket-tail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliomaster constantii | Ocreatus addae |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) | — |
| Weight | 7.375 g (0.26 oz) | 3.0 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American dry and semi-open habitats. Visits large flowers; catches insects … | Nectarivore of Bolivian and Peruvian cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and bromeliads. Gleans small insects from … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Plain-capped Starthroat
High, thin twittering barely audible; delicate cascade of minute notes, poorly documented vocal repertoire.
Rufous-booted Racket-tail
Deep, resonant hum barely audible; extremely low vibration barely perceptible during hovering near high-altitude flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Plain-capped Starthroat
Found from northwestern Mexico south through Central America to northwestern Costa Rica in dry forest. Sea level to 1,800 m.
Rufous-booted Racket-tail
Found in cloud forests of northern Bolivia and adjacent Peru and Brazil at 400–1,400 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Plain-capped Starthroat
Rufous-booted Racket-tail
About These Birds
Plain-capped Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in dry to semi-humid habitats from Mexico to Costa Rica. Grey-green plumage with a purple gorget and long bill. Nectarivore of deciduous forests, thorn scrub, and gardens. Often seen at large, nectar-rich flowers.
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.