Plumbeous Water-redstart Bird Facts (Phoenicurus…

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is a small, compact bird with a distinctive blue-grey plumage in males. Males have rusty-red undertail coverts and tail. The tail is often held cocked.

Females are predominantly grey with white-spotted wingbars and white rump markings. Their tail is black with white bases on the outer feathers. Juveniles resemble females but are browner with buff-stippled upperparts.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart can be found in Mountain habitats.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Plumbeous Water-redstarts inhabit fast-flowing mountain streams, rivers and cascades across the Himalayas and parts of Southeast Asia. They are found in countries such as India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, typically in forested or rocky areas with clear, rushing water.

During winter, some populations move to lower elevations, but the species is generally non-migratory.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Plumbeous Water-redstart. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Bangladesh Bhutan China India Kyrgyzstan Laos Myanmar Nepal Pakistan Taiwan Thailand Vietnam

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Highly agile bird, capable of making precise flights over rushing water to catch insects, navigating rocky terrain, and even swimming underwater when needed. Their tail-bobbing behaviour and ability to manoeuvre effectively in fast-flowing stream environments demonstrates exceptional aerial and terrestrial agility.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst relatively small (14-15cm length, 18-23g), they possess sufficient strength to navigate strong water currents and grip slippery rocks. Their compact build provides adequate power for their size, though they're not particularly strong compared to many other bird species.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Remarkably adaptable, surviving across elevations from 300 - 4,000m and managing seasonal altitudinal migrations. Their ability to thrive in fast-flowing water environments, swim when necessary, and modify their behaviour for different hunting strategies shows impressive adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Notably territorial, particularly during breeding season, with males fiercely defending their waterway territories. They actively engage in territorial displays and maintain their areas against intruders, showing significant aggressive behaviour for their size.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Demonstrates considerable endurance through constant activity near fast-flowing waters, regular tail-bobbing and wing-flicking, and ability to maintain territories in challenging mountain stream environments. Their capacity for altitudinal migration also indicates strong endurance capabilities.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart primarily feeds on aquatic and terrestrial insects.

They catch prey by making short, agile flights from perches over water or by gleaning insects from rocks and vegetation along stream banks. Their diet may also include small fish and tadpoles when available.

Plumbeous Water-redstarts are highly active birds, often seen bobbing their tails and flicking their wings near fast-flowing streams. They frequently perch on rocks or low branches overhanging water, from where they make short flights to catch insects.

These birds are typically solitary or found in pairs, fiercely defending their territories along waterways.

The Plumbeous Water-redstart has a distinctive, sharp call often described as a metallic 'tink-tink' or 'zink-zink'. Their song is a series of high-pitched, tinkling notes, sometimes interspersed with warbling phrases.

These vocalisations are frequently heard over the sound of rushing water in their habitat.

Breeding season for Plumbeous Water-redstarts typically occurs from April to July. Males establish territories along streams and perform displays to attract females, including wing-spreading and tail-fanning.

Nests are cup-shaped structures made of moss, grass, and rootlets. They are often placed in rock crevices or banks near water. Females lay 3-4 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 14-16 days and is primarily carried out by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after approximately 14-16 days but remain dependent on the adults for several weeks.

While the Plumbeous Water-redstart is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces localised threats from habitat degradation and water pollution.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting mountain stream ecosystems and maintaining water quality in their preferred habitats.

Look for them along fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers
Listen for their sharp, metallic 'tink-tink' call
Watch for their characteristic tail-bobbing behaviour
Scan rocks and low branches near water for perched individuals
Visit higher elevations during summer for better chances of sighting

Main predators include birds of prey such as sparrowhawks and falcons, as well as snakes and small mammals that can access their nests.

Plumbeous Water-redstarts can swim short distances underwater to escape danger.
Their feet are adapted for gripping slippery rocks in fast-flowing streams.
Despite their name, they are more closely related to Old World flycatchers than to true redstarts.

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