The rufous-tailed robin

A female rufous-tailed robin is seen on the ground in Wutong Mountain, Luohu District. Photos by Isaac Cohen

The rufous-tailed robin

The rufous-tailed robin (Larvivora sibilans) is a small songbird inhabiting Asia’s dense forests. This charming bird isabout 13 centimeters in length. The males have a predominantly gray-brown plumage, with a reddish-brown tail that gives the species its name. They also display a white throat and underparts, with subtle orange tones on the breast. Females share a similar coloration with a duller appearance.

红尾歌鸲是一种原产于亚洲、栖息于山林地带的小型鸣禽，身长仅13厘米，雄性上体橄榄褐色，尾羽棕红色，因此得名；喉及下体白色，胸部具密集的橙色扇贝状纹。雌性外表与雄性基本相似，但体色更黯淡。

A female rufous-tailed robin is seen on the ground in Wutong Mountain.

The rufous-tailed robin primarily feeds on insects, spiders, worms, and other small invertebrates. It forages on the forest floor, using its sharp beak to probe the leaf litter and soil in search of prey.

红尾歌鸲以昆虫、蜘蛛、蠕虫等无脊椎动物为食，常在地面觅食，喙尖而有力，能够翻开厚厚的落叶腐殖层寻找食物。

A female rufous-tailed robin is seen on the ground in Wutong Mountain.

This agile and active bird hops and runs along the forest floor, occasionally perching on low branches to observe its surroundings. It is generally solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season, typically between April and July.

The male sings by day, but also by night during the breeding season. The bird often builds its cup-shaped nests in tree holes, where the female lays and hatches a clutch of four to six eggs for about two weeks. The hatchlings, cared for by both parents, are ready to go on their own in another two weeks.

红尾歌鸲性格羞怯，行动敏捷，大部分时间在地面活动，偶尔停栖在低矮的树枝上观察周围情况。一般情况下属独居动物，每年4至7月繁殖季来临，则常成对活动。求偶时，雄性会夜以继日地鸣叫以吸引雌性，交配后寻树洞筑巢，巢呈杯状，雌性每窝产卵4至6枚，孵化期两周。本物种雏鸟为晚成鸟，破壳后需由双亲再喂养两周，方具备离巢独立生活的能力。

A female rufous-tailed robin is seen on the ground in Wutong Mountain. 

Not a long-distance migratory bird, some populations however may undertake altitudinal movements, moving to different elevations within their range.

红尾歌鸲没有定期沿纬度或经度作长距离迁徙的行为，仅在栖息地进行小范围的季节性垂直迁移。

This bird plays a vital role in the forest ecosystem. Preying on insects and invertebrates helps control pests’ populations, contributing to the overall health of the forest. Additionally, their consuming fruits and excreting undigested seeds elsewhere aids seed dispersal, thus promoting plant diversity and forest regeneration.

红尾歌鸲在维护山地生态系统平衡中扮演重要角色。首先它们属食虫鸟，可以有效地控制昆虫尤其是害虫的数量，防止虫灾泛滥，危害森林健康。此外，它们吃下植物果实后，会在别处把无法消化的种子随排泄物排出，种子在土壤里扎根发芽后，会形成新的植物群落，从而促进了森林面积的扩张。

A female rufous-tailed robin is seen on the ground in Wutong Mountain. 

By protecting their habitats, we can ensure this remarkable bird’s continued presence in our city, which helps preserve thebalancewithin the forest ecosystem.

因此我们要保护好红尾歌鸲的栖息地，让这些森林卫士能够继续在我们的城市中繁衍生息。