Golden Bush-Robin
Tarsiger chrysaeus
Shining and distinctively yellow robin of the montane forest understory. Male sports a blazing golden brow, yellow underparts, and a black face. Female is less contrastingly patterned, but still noticeably yellow, with browner underparts and a white eyering. Both sexes have a yellow panel on either side of the tail. Song is composed of rolling, buzzing notes; it is not as melodic as those of some other bush-robins.
Identification
This species is typically a 14–15 cm long species of songbird in the family Muscicapidae known for its golden color. The weight of a full-grown bird ranges from 12 to 15 grams. The male golden bush robins mainly have a brownish olive tone on their backs with a bright yellow-orange tone on their underside. As for female golden bush robins, they consist of the same color patterns although they are duller and not as vibrant as their male counterparts. Color patterns for a male juvenile are dark brown with buff streaks above and below the tail, while the pattern diffuses in females.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tarsiger chrysaeus
- Authority
- Hodgson, 1845
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Tarsiger
Range and habitat
Their habitat is dispersed around the Himalayan mountain range and surrounding highlands of Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet, and Thailand living mainly in open areas with temperate forests, bamboo forests, grassland, and shrubland. Golden bush robins, white-browed bush robins, chestnut-crowned bush warblers, and Gould's shortwings display rare cases of exploiting human disturbance in their primary temperate forest habitat in the mountains of southern China. This behavior is likely a modification of pre-existing dietary habits as human disturbance continues to exploit natural resources in the area.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
The golden bush robin's population is deemed stable and they are considered as least concern when it comes to their conservation status. The range of the golden bush robin spans multiple countries, making it difficult to fully document population trends and threats to its population.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

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Zenaida auriculata
South America’s most widespread and abundant dove, found from sea level up to 4,000 m. Appearance much like Mourning Dove of North America: pale grayish-brown overall with iridescent patch on neck, black spots on wing and neck, and reddish legs. Larger than ground-doves; more slender than Leptotila doves and with black wing spots. Found in open and disturbed habitats including agricultural fields, towns and cities, and shrubby areas. Often gathers in flocks.

Greater Vasa Parrot
Coracopsis vasa
Large black parrot that is found in and around all types of forest. Often seen in flight, sometimes in small, loose flocks. Incredibly loud calls consist of rough squawks and low whistles. Can be very hard to separate from Lesser Vasa Parrot, but larger and bigger-billed, with a straight edge to the skin at the back of the bill. Vocalizations are lower-pitched and rougher than those of Lesser Vasa Parrot. Can easily be mistaken for a raptor in flight, but has all-black plumage unlike any raptor in range.

Crested Doradito
Pseudocolopteryx sclateri
A small flycatcher with bright yellow underparts, a shaggy crest, and three wingbars. Inhabits marshes and flooded grasslands with overgrown vegetation. The song is a very soft and squeaky series of “tsik-tsik-tsee-lee” notes. Other doraditos have no wing marks.
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