Wildlifeof Bhutan
Altai Accentor
Finches, Sparrows & Buntings
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Prunella himalayana
Basic stats
Diet
Invertebrates in the breeding season, supplemented with berries in winter
Habitat
Breeds on sparsely vegetated, rocky alpine meadows at 2,800–5,000m
Range
Breeds from the Altai east to the mountains east of Lake Baikal, south to the Tien Shan, Pamir and north-eastern Afghanistan; winters in the southern Tian Shan and Himalayas, east to at least Bhutan
Size
15–15.5cm
The Altai accentor, also known as the rufous-streaked or Himalayan accentor, is a relatively large accentor, 15 to 15.5cm long. It has a grey head, a white throat framed by black spots, a chestnut-brown back and mantle with dark streaks, rusty-brown wings with two distinct white wing bars, and a white underside with rusty-red spots on the breast and flanks (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds in the Altai Mountains of western Mongolia and in mountain regions from southern Russia to the Tien Shan, Pamir and north-eastern Afghanistan, on sparsely vegetated, rocky alpine meadows at 2,800 to 5,000m. Outside the breeding season it can be found in the Himalayas, with records extending eastward at least to Bhutan. In the breeding season, May to August, it feeds primarily on invertebrates, with berries added in winter.
Quick answers
- What does the Altai Accentor eat?
- Invertebrates in the breeding season, supplemented with berries in winter
- What habitat does the Altai Accentor live in?
- Breeds on sparsely vegetated, rocky alpine meadows at 2,800–5,000m
- Where is the Altai Accentor found?
- Breeds from the Altai east to the mountains east of Lake Baikal, south to the Tien Shan, Pamir and north-eastern Afghanistan; winters in the southern Tian Shan and Himalayas, east to at least Bhutan
- How big is the Altai Accentor?
- 15–15.5cm