Race:
Saxicola caprata rossorum Hartert, 1910

No Synonyms

Description

In spring male of Pied Bushchat is contrast black and white. Most parts are black metallic glossed; only rear-belly, undertail, uppertail and some of wing coverts are all-white. Bill and legs are black. Second-year male is some browner. In fresh plumage upperparts feathers have dark-brownish washed patches, but feathers of breast and wings have broad buff edges. Female is buff-brownish above. Its wings and tail are blackish-horn color; white wing-patch is very little or lack. Uppertail is rusty, underparts are buff, chin and belly are whitish. In fresh plumage wing feathers are with buff edges. Upperparts on juveniles are grayish-brown with yellowish spots; underparts are pale buffy tinged with dark spots on breast. Bill and legs are almost black, eyes are dark-brown. Wing 68.5 - 78.7 mm.

Biology

Pied Bushchat is rare breeding migrant. It inhabits wet meadows, shores of rivers and irrigation channels; with tall grass and some bushes, near villages often. Its biology in Kazakhstan don't known. Near Tashkent Pied Bushchat appears in end of April. Nest is built on ground under bush or grass tussock, or in stone building; nest is from dry grass and is lined with hair. Clutches of 5-6 eggs founded in early-mid May. Both parents feed juveniles, which fledge at age 10-12 days old. One brood per season. In autumn Pied Bushchat leaves in August - early September.

References

"Птицы Казахстана" том 3. "Наука". Алма-Ата, 1970.
Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999.
Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005