White-throated Bush Chat
Saxicola insignis
白喉石䳭
Introduction
Old World flycatcher (Saxicola insignis) in the genus Saxicola. Also known as Hodgson's bushchat. IUCN Red Listed as Vulnerable as of 2018. Global population estimated at 3,500-15,000 individuals in 2001. Major threat is rapid loss of grasslands in wintering areas. Winters in Nepal and Indian Terai and Dooars. Breeds in alpine or sub-alpine meadows and scrub in Mongolia and adjacent parts of Russia. Prefers wet and dry grasslands, reeds and tamarisks along riverbeds, and sugarcane fields.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in alpine and sub-alpine meadows and scrub in Mongolia and adjacent Russia. Winters in the Nepal and Indian Terai and in the Dooars region. Recorded in several protected areas including Jim Corbett, Shuklaphanta, Chitwan, Kaziranga, and Manas National Parks, and Lumbini Crane Sanctuary. Inhabits wet and dry grasslands, reeds and tamarisks along riverbeds, and also occurs in sugarcane fields.
Behavior & Ecology
Insectivorous. During surveys in Shuklaphanta National Park, 19 individuals were recorded in January 2005, and only eight males were recorded a year later in 2006.
Conservation
IUCN Red Listed as Vulnerable as of 2018. Global population estimated at 3,500-15,000 individuals in 2001. Major threat is the rapid loss of grasslands in wintering areas. Population appears to be declining based on recent survey data showing significant decrease in recorded individuals.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Saxicola
- eBird Code
- whtbus1
Distribution
rocky alpine meadows of central Asia; winters to northern India
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.