Birds
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter
Phytotoma rara
Cutting through leaves and buds with a serrated bill unlike most other songbirds, a rufous-tailed plantcutter feeds on vegetation rather than insects or fruit, a dietary oddity among the small, distinctive plantcutter family of South America.
Overview
The rufous-tailed plantcutter, Phytotoma rara, is a Least Concern bird native to grassland and forest habitat across Chile and Argentina. Its serrated, vegetation-cutting bill, its unusually plant-heavy diet for a songbird, and its membership in a small family found only in South America make it one of the more dietarily unusual birds found anywhere on the continent.
A songbird that eats like a browser
While most songbirds chase insects or pick at fruit, the rufous-tailed plantcutter instead grazes directly on leaves and buds, its serrated bill functioning more like a pair of garden shears than a typical bird’s beak.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across suitable scrubland and forest-edge habitat in Chile and Argentina.
Rufous-tailed Plantcutter: common questions
Why does the rufous-tailed plantcutter have a serrated bill?
This species has a bill with serrated edges specifically adapted for cutting through leaves and plant stems, allowing it to feed on vegetation most songbirds cannot process.
Why is the rufous-tailed plantcutter's diet unusual?
This species eats leaves and buds rather than insects or fruit, an unusual diet among songbirds, most of which favour more energy-dense food sources.
Is the rufous-tailed plantcutter closely related to other common songbirds?
Not especially, this species belongs to the plantcutter family, a small group closely related to the cotingas and found only in South America.
Does the rufous-tailed plantcutter cause problems for farmers?
Sometimes, this species is occasionally considered an agricultural pest where it feeds on cultivated plants, bringing it into conflict with local farmers.