Phoenicurus fuliginosus
The Plumbeous Water Redstart (*Phoenicurus fuliginosus*) is a striking member of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), renowned for its distinctive appearance and aquatic habits. Males boast a glossy slate-blue to almost black plumage, beautifully contrasted by a vibrant rufous-chestnut tail, constantly flicked and fanned, measuring 12-14 cm in length and weighing 12-23 grams. Females present a more subdued but equally elegant grey-brown coloration, featuring a prominent white rump ...
Exclusively found along fast-flowing mountain rivers, rocky streams, and waterfalls, typically at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 meters in its breeding range.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on aquatic insects like mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and their larvae, supplemented with terrestrial insects. Occasionally, they consume small fish or berries.
This active diurnal bird is typically observed singly or in pairs, tirelessly patrolling its watery domain, often roosting in rock crevices or dense vegetation along the banks at night. Foraging involves a highly agile strategy, where it sallies out from prominent rocks to snatch aquatic insects ...
The Plumbeous Water Redstart boasts a widespread distribution across the mountainous regions of Asia, primarily inhabiting the Himalayan arc from Pakistan eastward through Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India. Its range extends further into Southeast Asia, including parts of Myanmar, northern Thaila...
Least Concern
- The Plumbeous Water Redstart's constant tail-wagging is not fully understood, but it's hypothesized to help flush out insects or signal to conspecifics. - Despite its common name, it belongs to the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae) and is not closely related to true redstarts of the ge...