Siberian Redstart - description, habitat

Redstart belong to the order Passeriformes. This is the most numerous squad among all birds. It has dozens of families of small birds. Redstart belong to the flycatcher family, which also includes many genera. Siberian Redstart is one of the species of the small genus Redstart, so named due to its habitat.

General description of the species

Siberian Redstart is a very small bird. This is one of the smallest representatives of his squad. The size of these birds is even smaller than that of a sparrow. Their length, including the tail, does not exceed 16cm. Redstart weight up to 20 grams. Siberian Redstart is very difficult to distinguish from other representatives of its species. All of them are characterized by common features: motley color in males and gray inconspicuous in females.

The females of these birds are completely unremarkable. They are lighter than males, but the abdomen is the same brownish-gray as the back. In the plumage of females there are no bright colors. Outwardly, they look like sparrows, but smaller in size. It is very difficult to distinguish a female Siberian Redstart from an ordinary female, even a professional. More often they are distinguished by the plumage of males that are nearby.

Redstart feed on small arthropods: flies, spiders, caterpillars. However, this bird species is more likely to be omnivorous than predator. If necessary, they can switch to plant foods by eating various berries.

Habitat

Siberian Redstart, despite the name, lives not only in Siberia. In the summer, it can also be found in Mongolia and China. In winter, in these countries, birds of this species have nothing to eat, so they are forced to make long flights to warmer regions. However, little birds do not like long trips. They move to neighboring regions with a more pleasant climate. In winter, Siberian Redstart can be found in Japan and India. Birds fly in late October, and return back in April.

Redstart do not like tall trees and impenetrable forests. More often they settle on the fringes, as well as in the mountains, but with vegetation. Steep cliffs are also not suitable for them. Like all passerines, the Siberian Redstart prefers the area where there are many fruiting bushes.

Interesting Facts

Siberian Redstart is an unusual bird. The following features are characteristic of it:

1. Change of clothes with age. Young redstart have an inconspicuous color. Young growth is covered with brownish-gray plumage. With age, males acquire a brighter plumage, and females practically do not change.
2. Redstart love to settle in human dwellings. This is most likely due to the fact that insects are more common around humans. In addition, redstart love raspberries, currants and other fruits of bushes that people plant near their homes. In addition, the wool of farm animals, most often horses, these birds use as material for the construction of nests. Moreover, nests can be located in attics and in recesses of walls of houses.
3. Round-the-clock chants. Redstart are singing birds. Moreover, they sing around the clock. Since they live next door to people, their singing can often be heard by residents of territories corresponding to the habitat of birds.
4. Hard life in captivity. Siberian Redstart is sometimes tamed. They can live in cells, but very poorly tolerate cramped space. Wings in captivity bind wings, otherwise they injure themselves. In such conditions, the bird can live for about five years. The release of redstart is not recommended, as they do not return back to captivity.

It can be concluded that the Siberian Redstart is a bird widespread within its habitat. She often lives near human dwellings, but does not like bondage. Redstart - songbirds with a beautiful color of feathers, but to admire them and listen better from afar.

Video: Siberian Redstart (Phoenicurus auroreus)