Hello, everyone! Today, let’s talk about the beautiful bird that seems like a blue jewel dancing in the sky, the Red-flanked Bluetail. As the name suggests, this small bird, with a total length of 14 cm, has beautiful lapis lazuli-colored feathers. Many people are captivated by their charm, aren’t they?
The male Red-flanked Bluetail is particularly striking with its vivid blue color from its head to its back. It’s characterized by a white belly and orange flanks. On the other hand, the female is a bit more subdued, having blue feathers only on its tail. The female’s back is an olive-brown color, making it less conspicuous in nature.
Now, about the Red-flanked Bluetail’s feather color, it actually gradually turns into that beautiful blue over 2 to 5 years. This blue color is created by the reflection of light, and in fact, the feathers themselves do not contain blue pigment!
They feed on insects, spiders, and fruits of trees. During the nesting season, the Red-flanked Bluetail becomes busy in coniferous forests. They build nests at the base of trees like Tsuga and Abies firma or in crevices of cliffs, laying 3 to 6 eggs.
In Japan, they can be seen in the mountains during summer, and in parks and lowlands in cities during winter. Their call sounds like ‘Hih-hih’ or ‘Gah-gah’. Listening to their chirping in the mountains is a very pleasant experience. Pay attention to their bright and cheerful song, sounding like ‘Hee-peeh-yoropee-yoroh-yoroh-yorori’, while walking in the forest.
The Red-flanked Bluetail is like a natural jewel close to us. The next time you see a blue bird, it might be a Red-flanked Bluetail. When birdwatching, be sure to look out for this beautiful bird! See you next time.
