Rufous-headed Robin Larvivora ruficeps

A shy ground-dwelling songbird with a highly restricted range. Male is unmistakable, with a bright rusty-orange hood and a white throat thickly bordered in black. Its tail is also rusty and black, but this is often difficult to see; listen for its melodic and surprisingly powerful warbling song, reminiscent of a thrush’s. The female is brown overall without any key distinguishing characteristics. Darker face and no traces of blue anywhere on the body help distinguish it from similar Siberian Blue Robin. Breeds in subalpine forests with a dense understory in a small area of central China. Very rare and possibly nearing extinction.