Sporting a silvery gray cap in conjunction with a bright orange vest makes this bird stand out wherever he happens to be whatever he happens to be doing.
MEET THE DAURIAN REDSTART
The Daurian redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus), is a small passerine bird from temperate Asia. In Japan, it is known commonly as jōbitaki (ジョウビタキ). During the breeding season, the male wears a silvery gray crown and nape, along with a black face, orange underparts, and dark wings with a white patch on each one. He has a brownish mantle, orange rump, with a black tail with orange sides.
Overall, females are brownish but do share the male’s bright tail and wing patch.
The bill, eyes, and legs of both sexes are black.
Daurian Redstarts are migratory birds, commonly found in East Asia, ranging eastwards from Mongolia and the Himalayas.
This species prefers open forests, forest edges, agricultural margins. But it is also commonly found in parks and many backyard gardens. Not easily scared they allow human beings to get quite close before taking off.
They primarily feed on insects, berries, and seeds with insects being their main food, especially during the breeding season.
Very little is known about these birds during the breeding season other than it is during the summer months in open forested areas, scrubby vegetation in subalpine areas.
It is known the male is very territorial and will defend the nesting site.
Widespread throughout their range this bird is not to be considered a threatened species by the IUCN.
