Black Redstart: Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides

Black Redstart: Thirthira (Hindi), Kapekshuk (Sanskrit)
Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides

Black Redstart or Eastern Black Redstart or Kashmir Redstart: Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides; Thirthira (Hindi); Kapekshuk (Sanskrit).

 

Male of the species.

 

Red Data Status: Least Concern.

 

Small bird, larger than a sparrow, the size of an Oriental Magpie-Robin i.e. about 12-15 cms in size.

 

The male has black plumage from the head, through the back and wings and down to the tail. Characteristically, down the midline of the tail. (See inset)

The neck is also black with chest and under-feathers right up to the tail being more rufous, almost orange in colour.

 

It is a restless, energetic bird and is rarely very still. The black stripe down the midline in the tail resembles a blade of grass and given its restlessness, resembles a quivering blade of grass. Hence called 'Thirthira' in Hindi, from 'Thir-thir' - which means, shivering; and 'Kapekshuk' in Sanskrit derived from 'Kap-Kamp' meaning trembling, and 'Ikshu' a type of grass.

 

The female is more grey-brown with a chestnut coloured tail.

 

Lone ranger usually, found in thorny scrublands. Breeding is however in the Himalayan regions.

 

Nests are usually made of grass, leaves and twigs under rocks. Prefers stony areas for breeding.

 

It eats seeds, berries, insects, spiders and the like.

Photographed at Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India on 2nd March, 2014

 

Camera used: Nikon D5100 DSLR with AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm VR Lens