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Rufous Bush RobinAlternative names: "Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin", "Rufous Bushchat" Size: 15 cm |
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Rufous Bush Robin
at Wikipedia 
.
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Sightings |
Rufous Bush Robins were first spotted by us on the campus of Sultan Qaboos University, near Muscat, in March 2010.
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Photos |
Frontal view of a Rufous Bush Robin
Close-up lateral view of a Rufous Bush Robin keeping an eye on
the intruder in its territory
Here a different posture, seen from the side
Rufous Bush Robin with ruffled plumage after preening
Here a slightly different posture
This photo (taken without a flash) shows more clearly how dark it
usually is where a Rufous Bush Robin likes to sit for preening
Dorsal view of a Rufous Bush Robin with its tail up and fanned slightly
Jumping Jack Flash - Rufous Bush Robin jumping off a rock
Here a Rufous Bush Robin in flight
Based on the colours of its bill, this could be an immature Rufous Bush Robin
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Behaviour |
A Rufous Bush Robin's tail basically never stands still. It is always in motion - up-down, fan-fold. Usually, this is what gives the bird away when hidden in dense underbrush or thickets.
A Rufous Bush Robin's various ways to hold its tail
Here an extreme posture that clearly indicates a male Rufous Bush Robin's
display behaviour; a second bird was within sight, in a small tree
Rufous Bush Robins show other peculiar patterns of behaviour, such as a wing and tail spread, see below. When performed while on the ground, this spread is accompanied by a forward thrust of the breast. This behviour was observed when there was no second bird in sight.
Different posture indicating a male Rufous Bush Robin's display
behaviour; again, a second bird was within sight
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Food |
Like all other robins (all families), Rufous Bush Robins are flycatchers. Most robins hunt for insects from low to mid-level perches.
This Rufous Bush Robin has found a good-sized meal
