Daurian Redstart

Photo by Peter de Haas
Photographed: Junam reservoir Korea

Phoenicurus auroreus

Identification

6" (15 cm.) Sexually dimorphic. Male:

• Crown and nape grey, edged with silver
• throat, lores, and cheeks black
• mantle and wings brownish-black, with a large, white wing patch
• remaining plumage reddish-rufous, with darker-colored central tail feathers.

Female:

• brown, with a large, white wing-patch, buffy eyering
• tail reddish-rufous like male, but more dull
• vent may also be rufous.

Both sexes with black bill and feet.

Confusion species - White-winged Redstart is larger, with a larger white wing patch and silver-white crown and nape in the male, female much paler and lacking the white wing patch. Male Hodgson's Redstart paler, with white eyebrow and smaller, narrower wing patch. Male White-throated Redstart with white throat patch, wing patch a long thin streak with white tertial edges. Black Redstart without white wing patch in either sex.

Distribution

Breeds from NE Asia to SW China, winters in Japan, S China, Taiwan, N Indochina, and Myanmar.

Taxonomy

There are 2 subspecies.

Habitat

Breeds in summer in subalpine forest, winters in lower deciduous scrub and cultivated land. Usually a common bird in suitable habitat.

Behaviour

Frequently shivers or shakes the tail.

The diet includes insects, seeds and berries.

Vocalisation

Song a series of clear whistled notes; call may be a few soft whistles followed by tac, tac notes, or a sharp peep or hit, wheet.

References

Birding In Taiwan

External Links

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