Hello! Today, let’s talk about the Daurian Redstart, a small bird that is perfect for the winter season.
The Daurian Redstart is a small migratory bird belonging to the thrush family, known as a “winter bird” for visiting Japan in the colder months. It is slightly smaller than a sparrow, measuring about 15cm in length.
In the coming season, they can be spotted in gardens and parks. They are known for their clear “chip, chip” calls, and sometimes you might hear a “kak-kak” sound. A distinguishing feature of the Daurian Redstart is its unique posture of bowing followed by a quick twitch of its tail. The males are particularly striking, with silver heads, vivid orange chests and bellies, and glossy black backs and wings.
While the males are especially beautiful, their colors can be hard to discern in backlight. They tend to be solitary, often seen alone rather than in flocks.
They typically arrive in various parts of Japan from mid to late October and are not very fearful of people, making them a common sight even in urban areas.
The females are light brown all over with pale orange backs. Although their coloring is more subdued, their round eyes are a charming feature. Both males and females have white spots on their wings, sometimes earning them the nickname “spotted birds.”The juveniles have small spots all over their bodies and differ in color from their parents.
The Daurian Redstart enjoys eating berries in the cold season and is often seen defending its territory. During fights, they emit a “chip-chip-chip” call as a warning and may even resort to physical confrontation.
These birds breed in places like Tibet and Lake Baikal in the summer and migrate to Japan for the winter. Recently, there have been increasing instances of them breeding in Japan. In Korea, they are considered resident birds.
If you spot the beautiful Daurian Redstart, take a moment to observe it. In the chill of winter, these birds add a splash of color and warmth to the surroundings.
