Siberian Rubythroat illustration
Birdsong field guide

Siberian Rubythroat

Calliope calliope

A small, secretive Old World flycatcher known for the male's brilliant scarlet throat and complex, melodic song. It is primarily terrestrial, favoring dense cover where it can forage undisturbed.

What it sounds like

A loud, musical series of whistles and warbles often beginning with a sharp 'puee' and featuring expert mimicry.

Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Rec. Peter Boesman · ChinaCC BY-NC-NDXeno-canto

Field notes

  • The male features a triangular, iridescent ruby-red throat patch bordered by distinct black and white malar stripes.
  • It was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family (Turdidae) before molecular data moved it to the Muscicapidae family.
  • The species is a long-distance migrant, with some individuals traveling over 5,000 kilometers from Siberian breeding grounds to tropical wintering sites.
  • Unlike the flamboyant males, females usually lack the red throat, providing them with essential camouflage while nesting on or near the ground.
  • It is a highly skilled mimic, frequently incorporating the calls of other birds and even mechanical sounds into its own repertoire.
Habitat
Coniferous forest undergrowth, thickets, riverside scrub, and subalpine meadows with dense bush cover.
Range
Breeds across the Palearctic from the Ural Mountains through Siberia to Japan; winters in South and Southeast Asia.

Similar & commonly confused birds

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