Plumbeous Water Redstart

Rhyacornis fuliginosus (Vigors, 1831)

2013-10-06 Pokoyniki bay, Lake Baikal, Baikali-Lenski NR, Olkhon District, Irkutsk Region	© Natalia Shaburova

Description

The Plumbeous Water Redstart has a small and light build, with a body length of 12-14cm and a wing length of 7-8cm. Males and females differ in coloration. Males have dark, lead-colored plumage; a light gray lower belly; tinted-black forehead and cheeks; and chestnut red upper and lower tail coverts, tail feathers, and flight feathers, which are also dark brown on the edges. Females have a dark gray abdomen and back, with the former covered with white spots and the latter slightly light brown on the sides; white upper and lower tail coverts; and dark brown tail and flight feathers. Their young are also different, with male juveniles having white specks only on the head while young females have spots extending throughout their entire plumage. However, both male and female Plumbeous Water Redstarts have black beaks and light brown legs and feet.

Distribution

Only observation of the Plumbeous Water Redstart in Kazakhstan recorded by Gabor Papp at June 09, 2011 on the Ayagoz river, close to Aktogai station, East Kazakhstan Oblast.

Biology

The status and biology of Plumbeous Water Redstart in Kazakhstan are unknown. Only one bird was observed in semi-desert landscape next to a bridge on the Ayagus river. The male of Plumbeous Water Redstart was hopping on and off big concrete slabs under the bridge.

References

Taiwan's Ecological Conservation