Orange-flanked bush-robin

Description

At 13–14 cm long and 10–18 g weight,the red-flanked bluetail is similar in size and weight to the common redstart and slightly smaller (particularly with a slimmer build) than the European robin.As the name implies,both sexes have a blue tail and rump,and orange-red flanks;they also have a white throat and greyish-white underparts,and a small,thin black bill and slender black legs.The adult male additionally has dark blue upperparts,while females and immature males are plain brown above apart from the blue rump and tail,and have a dusky breast.In behaviour,it is similar to a common redstart,frequently flicking its tail in the same manner,and regularly flying from a perch to catch insects in the air or on the ground.The male sings its melancholy trill from treetops.Its call is a typical chat "tacc" noise.The nest is built on or near the ground,with 3–5 eggs which are incubated by the female.