Monday 15 December 2014

Daurian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Phoenicurus ("Crimson tailed") auroeus ("Eastern - of the dawn")
Adult Female Daurian Redstart (subspecies P. a. auroreus) at Kyu-Yasuda Park, Tokyo, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Phoenicurus auroreus auroreus
Weight: 11-20g  /  Length: 15cm  /  Wingspan: ?
ABSENT FROM UK  / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

 The Daurian Redstart is, unlike either of the Redstart species found in the UK, actually a fairly everyday bird during Winter.  Given that the Japanese Robin is no way near as ubiquitous as the Eurasian one, in some ways this species probably is the closest thing in Japan to them, being apparently found in parks and gardens in cities.  This female was found in Kyu-Yasuda park - a small ornamental park-garden just North of the Sumo stadium, and wasn't bothered by the presence of people at all.  Given we were only there at the beginning of December, this bird would have been a fairly early arrival - most things I've read about them imply they are fairly common in Winter as presumably more arrive.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Phoenicurus
Subspecies: P. a. auroreus, P. a. leucopterus

 - Sighting Locations -
JAPAN - Japaneseジョウビタキ / Jō-bitaki ("Jō flycatcher")
Fairly common and widespread Winter migrant
 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: One female seen at close range in Kyu Yasuda Park in early December.

Further Notes: BirdForum OpusIUCN Red ListRSPBWikipedia, Xeno-canto

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