Red-flanked Bluetail

Overview

Red-flanked Bluetail: Small thrush with blue upperparts, head, and tail. The belly and throat are white, flanks are orange-brown, and breast has gray wash. Very active bird. Hops on ground while bobbing tail up and down. Forages on ground and in trees for various insects and berries.

Range and Habitat

Red-flanked Bluetail: Accidental in western Aleutians and Pribilof Islands; a single record exists from the Farralon Islands off California. Common in Siberia.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Red-flanked Bluetail was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae.
It, and related species, are often called chats.
A group of thrushes are collectively known as a "hermitage" and a "mutation" of thrushes.