Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner vs Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner

In short

The Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner and the Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner can be differentiated by their plumage: the Rufous-tailed has a rufous tail, while the Chestnut-winged features bright rufous wings and tail with a grayish-brown back. Both species are typically found in mixed-species flocks, but their preferred habitats differ slightly.

Identification tips

1. Look for the rufous tail on the Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner. 2. Check for bright rufous wings and tail with a grayish-brown back on the Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner. 3. Note the habitat: montane for Rufous-tailed, lowland evergreen for Chestnut-winged.

Plumage

The Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner has a rufous tail, whereas the Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner displays bright rufous wings and tail with a contrasting grayish-brown back and crown. The Chestnut-winged also has a well-marked buffy loral region and throat.

Behaviour

Both species are usually encountered in pairs within mixed-species flocks, typical of foliage-gleaners.

Habitat

The Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner is found in montane forests, while the Chestnut-winged Foliage-gleaner inhabits lowland evergreen forests, especially on terra firme, and ranges into seasonally flooded areas in the north of its range.