ID Keys: Streaked reddish-brown back, dark crown and eye "mask",
buffy underparts
The
Siberian Accentor is a small passerine bird that is normally found in Asia
and eastern Europe. There, they breed in the northern reaches of
Russia and winter in southeast Asia. In North America, they are rare
vagrants. Most North American records are of migrating birds on
islands in the Bering sea, but records have also occurred on the mainland in
Alaska, in western Canada, and even as far south as Idaho, Washington state,
and Montana.
Habitat
Found in open habitats in northern Russia
during the summer breeding season, particularly in mountainous areas above
treeline, or along the edges of open boreal forest.
Diet
Feeds heavily on insects and spiders during
the summer months. In winter, may also feed on seeds, fruits, and
berries.
Behavior
Mostly forages by moving along the
ground in search of ground-dwelling insects.
Nesting
Builds a cup-shaped nest built of sticks
and grasses, placed in relatively thick shrubbery, usually relatively close
to the ground. The female lays 3 or 4 eggs.
Song
Song of the Siberian Accentor is a pleasant
twittering warble, relatively high in pitch. The call is a mellow "ti-ti-ti-ti".
Migration
Migratory, with breeding occurring in
Siberia, both east and west of the Ural Mountains. Winters in
southeast Asia, with nearly all wintering birds in either China or Korea.
