Description:

Large, attractive accentor with strong bill, more upright carriage than most congeners. Comparatively uniform grey head and breast, diffusely streaked mantle, and (white-tipped) blackish coverts that form dark panel across wing. Has chestnut streaking on flanks but.

Distribution:

Widespread resident and altitudinal migrant all across Gilgit-Baltistan. Breeds in low cliffs, screes, rocky mountain slopes and alpine meadows above tree-line, up to snow-line around 3500-5000m; near villages, rocky and scrubby habitats in winter.

Behavior:

Forages mainly on ground, among rocks, stones, grass, herbs, moss and lichens; particularly favors melting edges of snow patches. Proceeds with small hops or by walking. Diet largely insects, also spiders, small snails and earthworms. Seeds of herbs and grasses eaten mostly in late summer and winter; also cereals and berries. Grit regularly taken by adults.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Occurrence:

Resident Species

Summer Breeder

Winter Visitor

Passage Migrant

Distribution Map of Alpine Accentor in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )

Seasonal Occurrence of Alpine Accentor

Resources:

Birds of Pakistan: Helm Field Guides (R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
The Birds of Pakistan (T. J. Roberts)
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (C. Inskipp, R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide (P. Rasmussen & J. Anderton)
Birds of India: Collins Field Guide (N. Arlott)
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (S. Ali & S. D. Ripley)
Handbook of the Birds of the World (https://www.hbw.com)
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition
iNaturalist BoGB (inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-gilgit-baltistan)
Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (http://fb.me/birdsgb)

*Gallery images on this page are shared from flickr.com, and are copyrighted to their respective creators or owners.