Fareed Mohmed ← The Indian List

Bird Photography · The Indian List

Accentors

1 of 7 species photographed

Seven species, all of them small, ground-feeding, sparrow-like birds of the Himalaya and trans-Himalayan plateau, mostly at altitudes where colour in the landscape is scarce and a bird's markings have to do real work against bare rock and scree. Accentors forage low, walking and hopping over open ground rather than perching conspicuously, and most of the year is spent well above where casual birders go.

Alpine Accentor is the largest and most widespread of the group, and a good introduction to the family's overall look: a grey head and breast, warm rufous-streaked flanks, and a boldly barred black-and-white tail. Found on bare rock and moss at altitude, often quite confiding where it has had little reason to fear people, which makes it one of the more approachable high-altitude specialists once you've made the climb to find it.

7Species in India
1Photographed
Himalaya and trans-HimalayaWhere they live
Ground feedersHow they forage
Getting to altitudeThe real challenge

The species

Alpine Accentor

Prunella collaris1 frame
Status
Resident, with altitudinal movement — descends lower in winter
Range
The high Himalaya and trans-Himalayan plateau
Habitat
Bare rock, scree and alpine meadow above the treeline
IUCN
Least Concern

A grey head and breast, warm rufous streaking on the flanks, and a black-and-white barred tail. Larger and plainer-faced than the smaller accentors in this group. Forages on foot over open, rocky ground at altitude, often in small groups, and can be quite confiding where it has little contact with people.

FM0245
Mar 2024Sela Pass, West Kameng, Arunachal PradeshStanding on a moss-and-lichen-covered rock, grey head and rufous flanks lit warm, barred tail visible below.

Photographs by Fareed Mohmed