This stunning male seemed to be tied to a small wet area surrounded by dense vegetation. The species breeds in Siberia. At Bharatpur it is scarce but regular in migration and in winter. This is the only one we saw. This species was previously placed in the genus Luscinia but returned to Calliope based on a 2010 analysis by Sangster et al. The entire assemblage of Old World Chats in the subfamily Saxicolinae were formerly classified as members of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but as first proposed by Sibley
and Monroe are now usually recognized as members of the Old World Flycatchers (Muscicapidae).
References:
Ali, S & SD Ripley (1987). Compact Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. Edition 2. Oxford University Press.
Collar, N. (2016). Siberian Rubythroat (Luscinia calliope). In: del Hoyo,J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/58463 on 27 June 2016).
Rasmussen, P.C. & Anderton, J.C. (2005) Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Vols. 1 and 2. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions, Washington, D.C. & Barcelona.
Sangster, G.; Alström, P.; Forsmark, E.; Olsson, U. (2010). "Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of Old World chats and flycatchers reveals extensive paraphyly at family, subfamily and genus level (Aves: Muscicapidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 57 (1): 380–392. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.07.008.
Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter) - top. Canon Powershot SX50 -bottom taken by driver Rampal (not my photo)