From Opus

Photo by anutin
Doi Inthanon National Park, Cheng-Mai, Thailand.

Alternative name: Orange-flanked Bush Robin

Tarsiger cyanurus

Includes Himalayan Bush-Robin

[edit] Identification

Blue tail and reddish flanks.
The adult male has dark blue upperparts and white underparts.
Females are plain brown above and have a dusky breast.

[edit] Distribution

North Asia to the Himalayas and western China. Has been registered in several European countries.

Female
Photo by Ayuwat J
Doi Lang, Chiangmai, Thailand

[edit] Taxonomy

This species has three recognized subspecies¹:

• T. c. cyanurus:

• Northern Russia to northern Japan; winters to southern China, Taiwan and Greater Sundas

• T. c. pallidior:

• Afghanistan to Nepal; winters to Myanmar, Thailand and Laos

• T. c. rufilatus:

• Nepal to north-eastern India and south-western China; winters to Indochina

The subspecies rufilatus is sometimes considered a full species: Himalayan Bush-Robin (or Himalayan Bluetail) Tarsiger rufilatus³.

Sometimes considered part of genus Erithacus or genus Luscinia².

[edit] Habitat

Coniferous hill forests.

[edit] Behaviour

Often seen flicking tail and wings

[edit] Breeding

It nests near the ground, laying 3-5 eggs which are incubated by the female.

[edit] Vocalisation

Song: itru-churr-tre-tre-tru-trurr which is reminiscent of Common Redstart

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist.
2. Dickinson, Edward C. (ed.). 2003. The Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. 3rd ed. Princeton: Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691117010
3. Knox, A.G. et al. 2008. Taxonomic recommendations for British birds: Fifth report. Ibis, 150, 833–835
4. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6

• List of references

[edit] External Links