Himalayan Bluetail
Tarsiger rufilatus
Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on François Desbordes' illustration · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusTarsiger (Bush-Robins and Bluetails)
- SpeciesTarsiger rufilatus (Himalayan Bluetail)
About the Himalayan Bluetail
The Himalayan bluetail (Tarsiger rufilatus), also called the Himalayan red-flanked bush-robin or orange-flanked bush-robin, is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher of Muscicapidae. While currently under review, this taxon is not current recognized as a species by BirdLife international.
It is closely related to the red-flanked bluetail and was generally treated as a subspecies of it in the past, but as well as differing in its migratory behaviour (the red-flanked bluetail is a long-distance migrant), it also differs in the more intense blue colour of the adult males and the greyer colour of the females and juveniles.
The Himalayan bluetail is a short-distance altitudinal migrant species, breeding in the Himalaya in bush layer (dwarf rhododendron in wetter areas, deciduous bushes in drier) of conifer and mixed conifer-oak forest, main species fir (Abies) but sometimes in areas with Picea smithiana or Pinus wallichiana/Cupressus torulosa forest; at 3000–4400 m, not penetrating beyond tree-line and in winters found at 1,500–2,500... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Himalayan Bluetail in Jiuzhaigou National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Jiuzhaigou National Park
White-browed Bush-Robin
Tarsiger indicus
Golden Bush-Robin
Tarsiger chrysaeus
Red-flanked Bluetail
Tarsiger cyanurus
White-throated Redstart
Phoenicurus schisticeps
Slaty-backed Flycatcher
Ficedula erithacus
White-capped Redstart
Chaimarrornis leucocephalus
Plumbeous Water Redstart
Phoenicurus fuliginosus
Blue-fronted Redstart
Phoenicurus frontalis
Dark-sided Flycatcher
Muscicapa sibirica
Daurian Redstart
Phoenicurus auroreus
Indian Blue Robin
Luscinia brunnea
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher
Ficedula strophiata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiuzhaigou National Park | 🇨🇳 China | |
| 2 | Langtang National Park | 🇳🇵 Nepal | |
| 3 | Khangchendzonga National Park | 🇮🇳 India | |
| 4 | Doi Inthanon National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 5 | Royal Manas National Park | 🇧🇹 Bhutan | |
| 6 | Jim Corbett National Park | 🇮🇳 India |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Himalayan Bluetail in Jiuzhaigou National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Himalayan Bluetail sighting in Jiuzhaigou National Park, based on 53 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Himalayan Bluetail in Jiuzhaigou National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Himalayan Bluetail in Jiuzhaigou National Park in our monthly data.