Eastern Black Redstarts Phoenicurus ochruros phoenicuroides in Altai

Phoenicuroides was quite common breeding bird in rocky areas in Russian Altai. The following photos and sound recordings are all taken close to Aktash, Altai Republic, Russia, 24 or 25 June 2010. The area was 1400-1500 m asl, with alternating conifer forest, rivers and rocky cliffs.

Song We heard song only from male-plumaged birds. Some of them had quite worn flight-feathers, and were probably 2nd cy. It seems that 2nd cy male phoenicuroides has no cairei - type plumage or it is uncommon.

Alarm calls This is a male, looked like 2nd cy alarming.

(1.) Male

(2.) We thought that this was a female, but possibly it is a young male. We have no notes of its mate. The plumage seems to be between male- and female  type.

(3.) Male, looks like a 2nd cy.

(4.) Female

(5.) Juvenile

(6.) Male

(7.) Active nest, inside a building.