Gould's shortwing is a small species of passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in the Himalayas, Yunnan and northern parts of Myanmar and Vietnam. It breeds in the eastern Himalayas in rocky areas above the tree-line and winters at lower altitude in wooded valleys.
Region
Himalayas and Southwest China
Typical Environment
Breeds in the eastern Himalayas and extends through southeast Tibet and Yunnan into northern Myanmar and northern Vietnam. It favors rocky alpine scrub, rhododendron thickets, and mossy boulder fields above the tree line during the breeding season. In winter it descends into coniferous and mixed broadleaf forests, staying in dense undergrowth and along shaded stream gullies. The species keeps close to the ground, using crevices and root tangles for cover.
Altitude Range
1500–4500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Gould's shortwing is a tiny, secretive ground-dwelling chat of the Himalayan region and southwest China, often staying close to rocks and dense undergrowth. It makes seasonal altitudinal movements, breeding above the tree line and wintering in lower, wooded valleys. The species is the sole member of its genus Heteroxenicus and is named after the British ornithologist John Gould.
Temperament
solitary and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and close to cover
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, keeping to dense ground cover near rocks and roots. During the breeding season, pairs are territorial and nest close to the ground, often in crevices or thick vegetation. Outside breeding, birds remain secretive and may loosely associate in suitable wintering habitat.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a thin, high, tinkling series of notes delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include a sharp tick or seep given while moving through dense cover.
