Handsome, medium-size hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands. Favours forest edge, second growth, gardens in some areas. Feeds low to high and often comes to feeders. It can be not easy to distinguish from Buff-bellied Hummingbird, which favours drier habitats. Rufous-tailed has a dingier, greyish belly and more extensive rusty on the tail, which lacks the distinct fork often shown by Buff-bellied’s tail.