Description:

Large size, typical redstart with distinct coloration. Has white cap, black rest of head to back and wings and down to breast; otherwise orange-chestnut, with black terminal tailbar; black bill and legs. Sexes similar. Juvenile has black fringes to white crown and blackish underparts with rufous fringes.

Distribution:

Common resident in the western districts of Ghizer, Gilgit, Diamer and Astore; and parts of Hunza and Nagar. Breeds in rapid mountain streams and rivers with boulders, wet mossy cliffs and marshy hills, up to 3900m; moves down-river in winter.

Behavior:

Takes food from surface of water or in erratic flycatching sallies, also in dashes among rocks and by wading in shallow water. Occasionally forages for short periods away from water on rock-strewn ground and cliffs. Feeds mainly on insects, including dipteran flies, craneflies, beetles and ants, also spiders and molluscs; occasionally berries and grass seeds.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Occurrence:

Resident Species

Summer Breeder

Winter Visitor

Passage Migrant

Distribution Map of White-capped Redstart in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )

Seasonal Occurrence of White-capped Redstart

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.