Viridian Metaltail vs Rufous-booted Racket-tail
Metallura williami compared with Ocreatus addae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Viridian Metaltail | Rufous-booted Racket-tail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura williami | Ocreatus addae |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | — |
| Weight | 4.6 g (0.16 oz) | 3.0 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Colombian montane shrubs; visits Brachyotum and Ericaceae. Gleans tiny insects from … | Nectarivore of Bolivian and Peruvian cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and bromeliads. Gleans small insects from … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Viridian Metaltail
Sharp, emphatic chip repeated rapidly; clean staccato note with forceful attack given insistently near territory.
Rufous-booted Racket-tail
Deep, resonant hum barely audible; extremely low vibration barely perceptible during hovering near high-altitude flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Viridian Metaltail
Found in cloud forests and páramo of Colombia and Ecuador on both Andean slopes. 2,400–4,000 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
Viridian Metaltail
Rufous-booted Racket-tail
About These Birds
Viridian Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,000-3,500 m. Males have a glittering green tail. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and flowering shrubs. Named after the British naturalist M.C. William.
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.