Cape Rock Thrush
A species of Rock-thrushes Scientific name : Monticola rupestris Genus : Rock-thrushes
Cape Rock Thrush, A species of Rock-thrushes
Botanical name: Monticola rupestris
Genus: Rock-thrushes
Content
Description General Info
Description
The Cape rock thrush (Monticola rupestris) is a member of the bird family Muscicapidae. This rock thrush breeds in eastern and southern South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. It is a common endemic resident, non-migratory apart from seasonal altitudinal movements in some areas. This species breeds in mountainous rocky areas with scattered vegetation. It lays 2-3 eggs in a cup nest in a rock cavity or on a ledge. It eats a wide range of insects and other small animals, and some berries. This is a large stocky rock thrush 19–21 cm (7.5–8.3 in) in length. The summer male has a blue-grey head, orange underparts and outer tail feathers, and brown wings and back. Females have a brown head, but their underparts are a much richer orange than those of other female rock thrushes. The outer tail feathers are reddish, like the male's. Immatures are like the female, but the upperparts have buff spots and the underparts show black scaling. The male Cape rock thrush has a whistled song tsee-tsee-tseet-chee-chweeeoo, and occasionally mimics other birds.
Size
22 cm
Feeding Habits
Cape Rock Thrush primarily consumes berries, seeds, various insects, and nectar. Foraging occurs on the ground or in foliage, often at flowering aloes, with a preference for diverse prey like millipedes and spiders.
Habitat
The habitat of cape Rock Thrush predominantly includes mesic mountainous areas with a rocky landscape consisting of slopes, screes, cliffs, and gorges. These sites often feature scattered vegetation such as bushes and small trees, occasionally extending to open grasslands and fynbos. Additionally, cape Rock Thrush is known to inhabit old buildings and garden areas during winter, and may forage in the intertidal zone along the coast.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Old world flycatchers Genus
Rock-thrushes Species
Cape Rock Thrush