EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Climb to the Top

Brown Accentor (Prunella fulvescens khamensis), Family Prunellidae
Between Yamtrok and Gyantse, Tibet

Explanation:   Hopping to the peak of this cairn stack is a small resident of the high Himalayan Mountains here in central Tibet.  Determined to reach the peak was this Brown Accentor.  

Brown Accentors are relatively widespread in central Asia, occupying subalpine and alpine environments between 2,400 and 5,100 meters (7,900 and 16,700 feet) elevation.  At this stop along Highway S307, we were nearly at the bird's upper elevation limit, at over 5,030 meters (16,500 feet).  
  

Brown Accentors belong to family Prunellidae which has only the one genus Prunella.