Passeriformes / Prunellidae / Prunella
Robin Accentor
Prunella rubeculoides · 鸲岩鹨
Introduction
A species in the family Prunellidae found in mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,500 m. It is a brown bird with a grey head and orange-red breast. The conservation status is assessed as least concern.
Description
A large accentor growing to about 17 cm in length. Sexes are similar. It has a slender, sharply-pointed beak. The head and neck are grey; upper parts are brown and streaked with black. The throat is uniform reddish-orange, and the belly is pale buff. Wing coverts have white tips.
Identification
Key marks include a grey head and neck, brown streaked upperparts, and a uniform reddish-orange throat. White tips on wing coverts are distinctive. Vocalizations include a high trill or repeated 'tszi tszi' call, and a musical song rendered as 'si-tsi-si-tsi-tsu-tsitsi'.
Distribution & Habitat
Native to mountainous regions of Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, China (Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan), and Afghanistan. Typically found at altitudes between 3,000 and 5,500 m. Two subspecies: P. r. muraria in the west Himalayas and P. r. rubeculoides in the central and east Himalayas to central China. Non-migratory, resident above the tree-line but below the snowline. In winter, may move to slightly lower elevations near human habitations.
Behavior & Ecology
Forages on the ground for insects, invertebrates, and seeds, often in small groups. Polyandrous mating system where females mate with several males; males attempt to remove existing sperm before mounting. Nests are cup-shaped, built off the ground in tussock grass, bushes, or scrub. Clutch size is about four blue or green unspeckled eggs. Breeding season is May to August, with possibly two broods.
Conservation
Assessed as least concern by the IUCN. The species has a wide range, is common in parts of its range, and the population appears stable with no particular threats identified.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Prunellidae
- Genus
- Prunella
Subspecies (2)
-
Prunella rubeculoides muraria
northwestern Himalayas of northern Pakistan to Ladakh, and presumably Xinjiang
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.
