Eversmann's redstart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eversmann's redstart |
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| Adult male in breeding plumage | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phoenicurus
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| Species: |
erythronotus
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| Synonyms | |
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Phoenicurus erythronota |
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The Eversmann's redstart (Phoenicurus erythronotus) is a beautiful bird known for its bright colors. It's also called the rufous-backed redstart because of its reddish-brown back. This bird is a type of passerine bird, which means it's a perching bird. It belongs to the Old World flycatcher family, which includes many small, insect-eating birds. A German scientist named Eduard Friedrich Eversmann first described this bird, and that's how it got its name!
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
This redstart is one of the larger types, growing about 15 to 16 centimeters long. Its wings can spread out to about 25.5 to 27 centimeters. Both its beak and legs are black.
Male Birds
When it's time to breed, the male Eversmann's redstart is quite striking!
- It has a black "mask" around its eyes.
- Its head and neck are grey.
- Its back and rump (the area just above the tail) are a lovely reddish-brown color.
- The tail is also reddish-brown, except for the darker feathers right in the middle.
- Its wings are dark, but they have cool white patches on them.
- The underside of the bird is mostly reddish-brown, with some white on its belly.
Female and Young Birds
- Female birds are mostly grey-brown.
- They have a reddish-brown tail with a dark center.
- You might notice a pale ring around their eyes.
- They also have two light-colored bars on their wings.
- Younger males and males not in breeding season look similar to females but are a bit duller and browner.
Sounds and Habits
The song of the Eversmann's redstart is loud and full of life! These birds also make a soft, croaking sound and a whistling call. You'll often see them flicking their tails up and down.
Where Do They Live?
Eversmann's redstarts breed in the mountains of Central Asia and southern Siberia. This includes mountain ranges like the Tien Shan, Tarbagatay, and Altay Mountains, and areas near Lake Baikal.
Migration
Some of these birds move down to lower areas for the winter. Others, especially those from the northern parts of their home, travel much longer distances. Their winter homes can be found from southern Iraq through Iran and Pakistan to the western Himalayas in Kashmir. A few birds even reach eastern Arabia. Sometimes, a few lost birds have been seen in State of Israel and Turkey.
Habitat and Diet
During the breeding season, you'll find them in forests and woodlands, sometimes as high as 5,400 meters (about 17,700 feet) above sea level! In winter, they prefer more open and dry places.
