Passeriformes / Muscicapidae / Calliope
Siberian Rubythroat
Calliope calliope · 红喉歌鸲
Introduction
A small passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae, formerly classified in Turdidae. It breeds in mixed coniferous forests with undergrowth in Siberia and winters in Southeast Asia and South Asia. The species is migratory and insectivorous, nesting near the ground.
Description
Slightly larger than the European robin. Plain brown above with a distinctive black tail featuring red side patches. Possesses a strong white supercilium. The male has a red throat edged with a narrow black border and then a broad white border. Females lack the brightly coloured throat and borders.
Identification
Key marks include the plain brown upperparts, black tail with red side patches, and strong white supercilium. Males are distinguished by the red throat with black and white borders, while females lack these bright colors. The male's song is similar to a harder version of the garden warbler.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in mixed coniferous forests with undergrowth in Siberia. Winters in Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. It is an extremely rare vagrant to Western Europe, including Britain, and to the Aleutian Islands, notably Attu Island.
Behavior & Ecology
Insectivorous diet. Nests near the ground. Migratory behavior involves breeding in Siberia and wintering in South and Southeast Asia.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Calliope
Taxonomy Changes
Luscinia calliope → Calliope calliope
Genus transfer — GBIF Backbone Taxonomy uses the former name; AviList 2025 uses the current name.
Subspecies (3)
-
Calliope calliope beicki
north-central China
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
