Passeriformes / Muscicapidae / Phoenicurus
White-capped Redstart
Phoenicurus leucocephalus · 白顶溪鸲
Introduction
A passerine bird of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, much of China, and certain regions of Central Asia. Formerly placed in the monotypic genus Chaimarrornis, it was moved to Phoenicurus based on a 2010 molecular phylogenetic study.
Description
Both sexes are black with red underparts and a white crown. Males have a larger white pattern on top of the head and brown or red spots under the wings.
Distribution & Habitat
Found in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and adjoining areas including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Phoenicurus
Taxonomy Changes
Chaimarrornis leucocephalus → Phoenicurus leucocephalus
Genus transfer — GBIF Backbone Taxonomy uses the former name; AviList 2025 uses the current name.
Distribution
breeds Himalayas of southern Asia; winters to southeastern Asia
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.
