Branta Issues > Issue №16 (2013)

Range expansion of the Iranian Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus samamisicus Hablizl) in the Crimean Peninsula

A. N. Tsvelykh

Range expansion of the Iranian Common Redstart in the steppe zone of the Crimean Peninsula was recorded. The redstart originally had occupied only the mountainous part of the Crimea. However, in the late 19^th century, due to emergence of artificial tree plantations, it started settling in the Crimean steppes. Settling of this bird in the steppe zone of the Crimea goes slowly, and predominantly due to appearance of the species nesting populations in human localities, because the redstarts do not occupy a majority of current steppe artificial tree plantations. At present, the range of the Iranian Common Redstart in the steppe zone of the Crimea is limited by Dzhankoi City in the north, Yevpatoria City in the west and Bagerove Village (near Kerch City) in the east. In the second half of the 20^th century in the steppe zone of the Left-bank Ukraine the redstarts of a nominative subspecies started settling southward. If oncoming expansion of redstarts of both Iranian and nominative subspecies in the steppe zone continues it can lead to further contact and development of a sympatry zone for these subspecies.