Cape rock thrush

Cape rock thrush
Male in Marakele N.P., South Africa
Female at Suikerbosrand N.R. Song recorded in Transvaal Province, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Genus:	Monticola
Species:	M. rupestris
Binomial name
Monticola rupestris (Vieillot, 1818)

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 Eswatini. It is a common endemic resident, non-migratory apart from seasonal altitudinal movements in some areas.  

The Cape Rock-Thrush belongs to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves, Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicapidae, Genus Monticola,[2] and Species rupestris.[3] The bird was named for its geographic location in the Cape region of southern Africa and its preference for rocky habitats, where it lives among rocks and cliffs.[4] The scientific name Monticola rupestris reinforces this, with "Monticola" meaning "mountain-dweller"[5] and "rupestris" meaning "living among rocks."[6]

This bird is large and stocky for a rock thrush, measuring 21-22 cm (8.26in) in length.[3] The adult male during the summer features a blue-grey head, orange underparts and outer tail feathers, and brown wings and back.[3][7] Females have a brown head and richer orange underparts compared to other female rock thrushes.[3]

Vocalizations are an important aspect of this species’ behavior. The male produces a whistled song described as “tsee-tsee-tseet-chee-chweeeoo” and is known to mimic other bird species.[8] Another commonly heard call is a sequence rendered as “wiit liio-o pii’p sii piiu chiwii trrr,” consisting of high-pitched whistles and trills repeated rhythmically during territorial displays.[8]

The Cape Rock-Thrush has a life expectancy of 3.5 years.[3]

The Cape Rock-Thrush has a diverse diet that includes invertebrates and small vertebrates. Documented prey consists of spiders, millipedes, centipedes, mollusks, and small frogs.[3]The species also consumes fruits, seeds, and nectar, especially when insect availability is low.[3] Foraging occurs on the ground and among rocks and low vegetation, using a combination of hopping and scanning to locate food.[3]

The species inhabits mountainous rocky environments with scattered vegetation, resembling the habitats of the Sentinel rock thrush and the common rock thrush.[3] It is typically found on rocky mountain slopes at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 meters (about 1.86 mi). [3] Key regions include the Drakensberg Mountains, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces in South Africa, as well as highland areas in Lesotho and Eswatini. [3]

In addition to its ecological and behavioral characteristics, the Cape Rock-Thrush plays a role in the montane ecosystems of southern Africa.[3] Its tendency to sing from elevated perches during territorial displays makes it a conspicuous species, frequently observed by birdwatchers and researchers.[9] The species is solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season, although juveniles remain near parental territories for short periods after fledging.[10] The Cape Rock-Thrush is generally sedentary,[11] but in winter it shifts to lower elevations, leaving the high mountain zones of Lesotho and the Drakensberg.[3]

Breeding takes place in these rugged landscapes, where the birds construct cup-shaped nests in rock cavities or on ledges.[3] Nest materials consist of grass, moss, and feathers, and the female is primarily responsible for building.[3] Clutches usually contain two to three pale blue or greenish eggs, with an incubation period of approximately 13 to 15 days.[3] Courtship behavior includes the male singing from elevated perches, wing flicking, and occasionally offering food to the female.[12]

The Cape Rock-Thrush is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with stable population trends across its range. [3] However, localized declines have occurred due to habitat loss caused by urban expansion, mining, and increased tourism in mountainous regions.[3]

Although its conservation status remains stable, ongoing habitat fragmentation presents a potential threat to its long-term survival, particularly in areas undergoing rapid development or land-use changes.[3] Conservation efforts aimed at preserving montane habitats and managing tourism in sensitive regions are essential for maintaining healthy populations. [3] As a member of the Muscicapidae family, the Cape Rock-Thrush exemplifies the ecological significance of southern Africa’s avian biodiversity.[3]

• Clement and Hathaway, Thrushes ISBN 0-7136-3940-7
• Sinclair, Hockey and Tarboton, SASOL Birds of Southern Africa, ISBN 1-86872-721-1

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Monticola rupestris.

• Cape rock thrush - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds.

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