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
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Locustella alfredi
Mid-sized warbler with a long tail. Dark brown overall, with a white throat and pale eye-line. Found very locally in middle-elevation habitats with a dense ground cover, including bamboo, forest, marsh, and lush grassy areas. Rare species that is not often seen. Most likely to be detected and identified by its distinctive song: a ratcheting up-and-down “dee-ka dee-ka dee-ka…” series which can last for several seconds. Very similar to Evergreen-forest Warbler, and best distinguished by its different song.
Singing Honeyeater
Gavicalis virescens
Medium-sized honeyeater with an olive-brown back and pale gray underparts. Size and plumage varies considerably across its range. This species tends to favor inland locations, and is found in a wide variety of habitats. Widespread across Australia, and is present in most areas apart from the eastern coast.
Sclater's Crowned-Pigeon
Goura sclaterii
An enormous pigeon of the southern lowland rainforests. Erect, mohicanlike crest is especially long at the back. Blue-gray body with maroon on shoulder and chest, up to the throat. Very large white patch can reach the edge of the wing. Has a deep-bellied appearance and twitches the tail nervously. Forages in small groups on the forest floor. Unmistakable and does not overlap with other crowned-pigeons. Call, loud 2-note booming, sounding like a beating heart.
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