Güldenstädt's redstart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Güldenstädt's redstart |
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| Güldenstädt's redstart (male) from Ladakh, India | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phoenicurus
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| Species: |
erythrogastrus
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The Güldenstädt's redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogastrus) is a beautiful bird sometimes called the white-winged redstart. It belongs to the Phoenicurus genus in the Muscicapidae family. These birds live in the high mountains of the southwestern and central Palearctic region.
You can find them in places like the Caucasus, Karakoram, Pamir, Himalaya, Tian Shan, and Altai. Their home countries include Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, China, Georgia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
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Contents
What does the Güldenstädt's Redstart look like?
This bird is one of the largest redstarts. It is about 18 centimeters (7 inches) long. It weighs between 21 and 29 grams (0.7 to 1 ounce).
Male and Female Differences
The adult male Güldenstädt's redstart has a striking look.
- Its upper body is black.
- It has a bright white crown on its head.
- There is a clear white patch on its wing.
- Its tail is a vibrant orange-red color.
- The throat and upper chest are black.
- The rest of its underparts are a rich orange-red.
Female and young male redstarts look a bit different.
- Their upper bodies are brown.
- Their underparts are orange-buff.
- They also have an orange-red tail, just like the males.
Where do Güldenstädt's Redstarts live and what do they eat?
These birds prefer to breed at very high altitudes. They live from 3,600 to 5,200 meters (about 11,800 to 17,000 feet) above sea level. Their breeding grounds are usually in alpine meadows and rocky areas.
Seasonal Movements and Diet
In winter, they move to slightly lower elevations. They can be found from 1,500 to 4,800 meters (about 4,900 to 15,700 feet). During this time, they often live in subalpine Hippophae scrub, which is a type of bush.
Some populations, especially those from the mountains near Lake Baikal in the north, travel even further. They migrate all the way to northeastern China.
The Güldenstädt's redstart eats a varied diet. They enjoy different kinds of fruit. They also feed on many types of invertebrates, which are small creatures without backbones, like insects.
Types of Güldenstädt's Redstarts
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Güldenstädt's redstart:
- Phoenicurus erythrogastrus erythrogastrus: This subspecies is found in the Caucasus region.
- Phoenicurus erythrogastrus grandis: This one lives in the mountains of Central Asia.
The male Güldenstädt's redstart looks a lot like the white-capped redstart (Chaimarrornis leucocephalus). Both have black upper bodies and white crowns. However, the white-capped redstart does not have the white patch on its wing.
Even though the white-capped redstart is currently in its own genus, scientists believe it is very closely related to Phoenicurus. It might even be grouped with the other redstarts in the future.
Male Güldenstädt's redstarts also share some features with the much smaller Moussier's redstart (P. moussieri), including the white wing patch. The females of the Güldenstädt's redstart look like a larger version of the common redstart.
