Head to head
Booted Racket-tail vs Long-tailed Sylph
Booted Racket-tail
VS Long-tailed Sylph
Both are Andean hummingbirds known for extreme tail ornamentation in males, but the scale and style of their tails differ.
| Booted Racket-tail | Long-tailed Sylph | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ocreatus underwoodii | Aglaiocercus kingii |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Distinguishing feature | Fluffy white leg puffs | Deeply forked iridescent tail |
| Tail length relative to body | Long, racket-tipped | Often longer than the entire body |
| Body size | One of the smaller Andean hummingbirds | Small, with a disproportionately long tail |
| Range | Venezuela and Colombia to Peru and Bolivia | Venezuela and Colombia to Peru and Bolivia |
| Habitat | Forest understory | Forest, mountains |
| Sexual dimorphism | Males carry leg puffs and rackets | Males carry long tail, females much shorter |
Booted Racket-tail vs Long-tailed Sylph: common questions
Which hummingbird has the more extreme tail?
The long-tailed sylph does, with males carrying a deeply forked tail often longer than the rest of the body, an even more exaggerated proportion than the booted racket-tail's long, racket-tipped tail.
What is unique about the booted racket-tail's appearance?
It carries distinctive fluffy white leg puffs resembling tiny boots, a feature not shared by the long-tailed sylph.
Do both hummingbirds live in the same region?
Yes, both are found across similar stretches of Andean forest from Venezuela and Colombia south through Peru and Bolivia.