Brown Inca vs Short-billed Chlorospingus

In short

The Brown Inca and Short-billed Chlorospingus are distinct in both appearance and habitat. The Brown Inca is a hummingbird with a purple throat and white chest patches, while the Short-billed Chlorospingus is a bush-tanager with a more uniform appearance. They occupy different elevations within cloud forests.

Identification tips

1. Look for the purple throat and white chest patches on the Brown Inca. 2. Note the habitat: Brown Inca is found at lower elevations in cloud forests. 3. Observe behavior: Brown Inca feeds alone, while Short-billed Chlorospingus is more social.

Size

Brown Inca is a hummingbird, generally smaller and more slender than the more robust Short-billed Chlorospingus.

Plumage

Brown Inca is mostly brown with a purple throat and white patches on the chest. Short-billed Chlorospingus lacks these features and has a more uniform plumage without striking color contrasts.

Behaviour

Brown Inca feeds alone on tubular flowers, typical of hummingbirds, while Short-billed Chlorospingus behaves like other bush-tanagers, often seen in mixed-species flocks.

Habitat

Brown Inca is found at lower elevations (1000-1300 meters) on the Pacific slope in cloud forests, whereas Short-billed Chlorospingus is not restricted to these specific elevations.