White-capped Redstart Phoenicurus leucocephalus Scientific name definitions

18–19 cm; 24–42 g. Bobs body after landing, and wags part-fanned tail while drooping wings. Has white cap , black rest of head to back and wings and down to breast; otherwise orange-chestnut , with black terminal tailbar ; black bill and legs. Sexes similar. Juvenile is like adult but white cap scaled black, more grey-black above and extending below to lower belly, with paler buff-grey tips on lower breast to mid-belly, orange-grey vent.

E Uzbekistan, SW Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and N Afghanistan E through Himalayas to C & NE China (N to N Qinghai and Hebei, E to Anhui), N Myanmar and N Vietnam (1 Clement, P., and C. Rose (2015). Robins and Chats. Christopher Helm, London, United Kingdom. Close ); non-breeding at lower levels S to C Myanmar, N Thailand, N & C Laos and SE China (including Hainan).

Breeds along larger rapid mountain streams , frequenting boulders among rushing water but visiting wet mossy cliffs and steep marshy hillsides; 1800–5100 m, mainly 2400–4200 m, in Himalayas. Winters by clear shingly rivers and canals from lowlands to foothills. In higher areas may nest in rocky alpine meadows several kilometres from running water; during vertical movements recorded as using urban buildings more than 1 km from nearest stream.

Insects, including ephemeropterans, dipteran flies, notably craneflies, beetles and ants, also spiders and molluscs; occasionally berries (including aroid berries and Berberis), grass seeds. Takes food from surface of water or in erratic flycatching sallies, also in dashes among rocks and by wading in shallow water. Occasionally forages for short periods away from water on rock-strewn ground and cliffs. In study in Nepal, 60% of observations of foraging position involved marginal rocks , 22% mid-river rocks, 15% riparian ground and 3% shoals or marginal ground; prey-picking techniques 40% from riparian ground or vegetation, 39% from rocks, 19% in aerial sally and 2% from shoals or mud.

Song a protracted melodious, undulating, but rather weak and melancholy whistling  , “tieu-yieu-yieu-yieu”, lasting less than 1 second, repeated every 5–6 seconds. Also, song by male during courtship of female variable and highly complicated, heard only at close range. Call a sharp shrill long-drawn upslurred “tseee” or “tseeit” or “shviiit!” in alarm, apparently also serving territorial purpose, and changing in quality with elevation, from 3900 m upwards in Nepal having a clinking timbre (and reported in N Thailand as a sharp “ping”); also a much-repeated “tik” and wheezy ascending “wheet”.

Not globally threatened. Uncommon in mountains of C Asia. Locally common in Pakistan; in Kagan Valley one bird seen every 300 m over 96 km, with estimated 300 pairs on this stretch of river. Common in India. Common to very common in China. Uncommon to fairly common in N Myanmar and N Indochina; also common winter visitor to Myanmar foothills, but uncommon in N Thailand, where may be only non-breeding visitor.