A mesmerizing avian creature flaunting its azure plumage, often gracefully spreading its vibrant tangerine tail when soaring through the skies.
The plumbeous water redstart (Phoenicurus fuliginosus) is a member of the Old World flycatcher family and is commonly found near bodies of water. The adult male sports a slate-blue to dark lead-colored plumage, except for the rufous-chestnut colored vent, upper tail, and undertail-coverts. The abdomen is a grayish-white hue, while the flying feathers have a darker bluish-black shade. Its bill is black, and it has dark brown eyes. The feet and legs of the plumbeous water redstart have a flesh-colored appearance.
The adult female bird displays a white rear end, along with the bases of the outer tail feathers and a slaty-grey color on the upper feathers. The wings, which are brownish and paler, have two distinct bars adorned with white spots.
These birds reside in various regions including parts of China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. Their tails, along with their white base and outermost rectrices, have a brown hue. While juveniles share a resemblance to the female, they have white patches on their upperparts and are usually slightly darker in color.
The Plumbeous Water-redstart can be found both within the forest and in the areas surrounding it, where rocky rivers and streams are a common sight. They can be seen in various damp locations such as wide mountain streams, small watercourses, and even waterfalls.
In terms of diet, these birds have a particular fondness for insects of all kinds. However, they also enjoy feeding on berries and seeds. To catch their prey, they make use of perches such as overhanging branches or submerged pebbles in the river, allowing them to swiftly swoop down and catch flying insects.
Not only do they fly around the area, but they also leisurely stroll along the water’s edge and wade in the shallows. They are also quite skillful at snatching prey off the surface of the water.
Usually, the process of building a nest occurs from March to July. During this time, a neat nest in the shape of a cup is constructed in a hollow space or crevice in a rock or bridge. However, it can also be built in a tree stump, on a ledge covered in plants, or on a branch, as long as it is near water. The deep part of the nest is made from grass, moss, leaves, and small roots, while the inside cup is lined with wool, hair, plant fibers, and tiny roots. The female bird lays three to five eggs that have a light green or stone color and are adorned with small, dark markings. Incubation duties are solely taken care of by the female, but both parents contribute to feeding the chicks.
The Plumbeous Water-redstart is found in abundance throughout its entire habitat range, and currently, there are no existing concerns regarding its survival.