Daurian Redstart

The Daurian redstart is a small, vibrant passerine bird, measuring 14 to 15 cm in length and weighing between 11 to 20 grams. Exhibiting striking sexual dimorphism, the breeding male boasts a grey crown and nape, with a lighter forehead, a black face and chin, and a brownish mantle and wings adorned with a conspicuous white wing patch. The chest, lower back, and rump are a vivid orange, while the tail is black with orange sides. Juvenile males share a similar pattern but are markedly duller. Females, on the other hand, are warm brown above and paler below, with an orange rump and tail sides, and a large white wing patch akin to the males. Both sexes have black bills, eyes, legs, and feet.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Daurian redstart, look for the male's distinctive orange rump and the large white wing patch present in both sexes. The female's warm brown coloration and paler underside, along with the orange rump, are key features to distinguish her from other species.

Habitat

Daurian redstarts are fond of open forests, forest edges, and agricultural margins. They have also adapted well to human presence, often inhabiting parks and urban gardens.

Distribution

This species is native to temperate Asia, with a range that includes Manchuria, southeastern Russia, northeastern Mongolia, central China, and Korea. It is a migratory bird, with the eastern subspecies wintering in Korea, Japan, southeast coastal China, and Taiwan, and the western subspecies in northeast India and parts of Southeast Asia.

Behaviour

Daurian redstarts are reasonably confiding birds, allowing close human approach before retreating. They breed during the summer months, with mated pairs of the nominate subspecies observed as early as May.

Song & Calls

The Daurian redstart's song is a melodious and distinctive feature of this species, adding to the charm of its presence in its natural habitat.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in the summer, with pairs establishing territories and engaging in courtship displays. The timing of breeding is synchronized with the availability of food resources to ensure the successful rearing of chicks.

Similar Species

The Daurian redstart is part of a close-knit Eurasian clade that includes the black redstart, Hodgson's redstart, the white-winged redstart, and possibly the Ala Shan redstart. These species share similar features but can be differentiated by variations in plumage and habitat preferences.

Conservation status

The Daurian redstart is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it is currently not at significant risk of decline in the wild.