Peruvian racket tail
Ocreatus underwoodii
Rainforest
Peruvian racket tail is a hummingbird that lives in cloud forests in the eastern Andes, from southern Colombia to central Peru. The male has a unique appearance, with a straight tail that ends in rackets and buffy leg puffs. The female is similar to the Rufous-vented Whitetip, but has buff thighs and fewer markings on the throat. The species can be found feeding on small flowers at the forest’s edge or in clearings and occasionally visits feeders. The female of this species looks almost identical to the Rufous-booted Racket-tail, which may overlap at the southern edge of its range. However, the male Peruvian Racket-tail has straight central tail feathers that do not cross.
Photo: Alfredo Cornejo
