The plumbeous water redstart is a passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and China. Males are slate blue in colour, while females are grey. The bird's common name refers to its colour which resembles lead. They tend to live near fast-moving streams and rivers.
Region
Himalayas and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the Himalayan foothills through southern and central China into northern parts of Southeast Asia. It favors boulder-strewn, fast-flowing rivers, mountain streams, gorges, and waterfalls, often near forested slopes or montane villages. The bird readily uses man-made structures such as dams and bridges as perches and nesting sites. In winter some populations descend to lower valleys and wider rivers but remain close to running water.
Altitude Range
200–3500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small flycatcher is almost always found along fast-flowing streams and rivers, where it constantly fans and flicks its rufous tail. Males are a uniform slate-blue with a bright chestnut tail, while females are grey with fine whitish scaling and the same rufous tail. It often nests in crevices on streambanks, behind waterfalls, or under bridges. The species performs short aerial sallies to catch insects over the water.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies over water
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs along river stretches, defending short territories of suitable riffles and rocks. During breeding, pairs nest in crevices, on ledges, or under bridges close to running water, lining the cup with moss and plant fibers. Clutches are tended by both parents, which aggressively defend nest sites.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
The male delivers a clear, sweet series of thin, tinkling notes interspersed with sharp chips. Calls include a sharp tsee or tick given frequently while foraging along rocks.
