Maroon-backed Accentor
NameMaroon-backed Accentor
Common NameMaroon-backed Accentor
Scientific NamePrunella immaculata
FamilyPrunellidae
Wingspan (cm)22
Length (cm)16
Weight (g)21.5
Plumage DetailsThe head, throat, and breast are slate-blue to dark grey, with a finely scaled appearance on the crown. The back, rump, and flanks are a rich maroon-brown. The belly is greyish, and there is a distinct pale blue-grey patch on the wing coverts, contrasting with darker flight feathers. The eye is reddish-brown with a pale orbital ring, and the bill is dark.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a high-pitched, thin 'tsee' or 'tsip' call, often given while foraging. The song is a short, sweet, and warbling phrase.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the Himalayas, ranging from northern Pakistan through India (Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, Bhutan, and extending into southwestern China (Tibet, Yunnan, Sichuan).
Identifying FeaturesSlate-blue head and underparts, Rich maroon back and flanks, Pale blue-grey patch on wing, Shy, ground-dwelling behavior, Reddish-brown eye with pale orbital ring
Description
This shy, medium-sized passerine is characterized by its striking slate-blue head and underparts, contrasting sharply with a rich maroon back and flanks. It typically forages on the ground in dense undergrowth, often in mountainous forest habitats.
