White-capped Redstart
Phoenicurus leucocephalus
Chunky, brightly-colored redstart found along rushing boulder-strewn mountain streams. Black with a wine-red belly and tail and a blazing white cap; in poor lighting, appears all dark save for the cap. Sexes similar. Frequently flicks tail up and down and flares it open while perched on a streamside rock or stump. Call is a long, sharp whistle with an abrupt ending, with a far-carrying, ventriloquial quality.
Identification
Both genders are black with red underparts and white crown atop their heads. Males have a larger white pattern on top of the head and brown or red spots under the wings. It is found in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia, as well as some adjoining areas. The species ranges across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.<p>This species was formerly placed in the monotypic genus Chaimarrornis but was moved to Phoenicurus based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2010.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phoenicurus leucocephalus
- Authority
- Vigors, 1831
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Phoenicurus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : Central Asia through the Himalayas to c, ne China, n Myanmar, n Thailand and n Indochina
- Non-breeding range
- n India to Vietnam
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-winged Sparrow
Peucaea carpalis
Subtly marked sparrow with a poor name; "rufous wing" is restricted to a tiny, barely visible patch on the shoulder. Gray head and neck with peaked rufous crown and rufous eyeline. Stout pink bill. Sides are buff and unstreaked on adults. Back and wings are also buffy with fine markings. Paler throat is edged with thin dark lines. Primarily a Mexican species with very limited range in the U.S.; found in pairs or small flocks in brushy grasslands. Variable song usually composed of a few clear tinkling notes and trills.
Hainan Partridge
Arborophila ardens
Small game bird restricted to the tropical rainforests of southern Hainan Island, where it is the only forest-dwelling partridge. Body is brown above and gray below; head is black with a bright white ear patch and an orange collar. Unlikely to be confused with the only other game bird in its habitat, the Hainan Peacock Pheasant, which is far larger and gray all over. Shy and far more often heard than seen; ringing song is often heard at dawn.
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Commonest large hawk in many areas, often seen soaring. Favors woodland and forest edge, farmland with hedges; locally in towns with larger trees and wooded parks. Also hunts over open country, especially moorland and rough grassland. Mainly seen as singles or pairs, circling over fields and woodlands with wings slightly raised. Rather stocky hawk with broad wings and fairly short, square-tipped tail (rounded when spread). Plumage variable but typically has paler breast band, fine dark tail barring (broad dark tail tip on adult).
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