Guldenstadt's Redstart (Phoenicurus erythrogastrus)

i believe that the altitude does make a difference,
The Dutch find it hard trying to keep Ring ouzels going they can get them breeding but when it gets hot they loose them.
I have had Grandalas on several occasions in the past which are a migratory species the longest i managed to keep one alive was 2 years looking perfect then suddenly die.
Another is the Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) they do not survive long in captivity.
.
Unfortunately without accurate autopsy reports we can never prove anything,
And nobody likes to admit to loosing a bird and so a true picture cannot be learned.

I think the only way forward is to breed from imports that have managed to survive.

Yes Roy,
i called him that same morning but he wasnt available and was told that there was only 1 male so i can only presume the female died,
Many of the birds advertised as captive bred and closed rung are not they have oversized rings on them.

Unfortunately both my birds when into a moult but the good thing and more importantly is that they are in sync (same stage together). fingers crossed there might still be as chance to breed them this year.