Blackthroat

Blackthroat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Luscinia
Species: L. obscura
Binomial name
Luscinia obscura
(Berezowski & Bianchi , 1891)

The blackthroat (Luscinia obscura), also known as the black-throated robin or black-throated blue robin, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It breeds in north-central China but its wintering grounds are uncertain. It has been recorded as a vagrant in northwest Thailand. Its natural habitat is bamboo thickets within coniferous forest at altitudes of 3000–3,400 metres. It is threatened by habitat loss.

The species was discovered in 1891, but for the next 120 years only a handful of individuals were seen.: even now no female has been conclusively identified. So little was known of it that it earned the title " Asia's most enigmatic robin".

In June 2011 a team of scientists discovered its breeding grounds in the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province, north central China. Seven singing males were seen in Foping and a further seven in Changqing Nature Reserves- almost equal to the total number seen previously.[2]

In 2014 a female and breeding pair were sighted.[3]

It has also been described as Calliope obscura.[4]

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2013). "Luscinia obscura". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ↑ BBC Nature 15/12/2011
  3. ↑ "Rare blackthroated blue robins spotted in China". BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  4. ↑ http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?avibaseid=497B8CEE1859E3CE
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