Skip to content

Cercotrichas galactotes

warning Vulnerable
VU (A2b)

Contributed: Avner Rinot, Asaf Mayrose, Yoav Perlman, Yosef Kiat, Tuvia Kahn, Lior Kislev, Ezra Hadad, Ido Zurim, Noam Weiss, Yaron Bazer, Rei Segali, Manachem Adar, Eyal Shochat

The Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin is classified as Vulnerable (VU) due to the continued decline in its population size, which is estimated at more than 30% over three generations (11.4 years). In the previous edition of the Red Book (2002), it was classified as Near Threatened (NT). The change in its status reflects the deterioration in its population status and its disappearance from areas where it had formerly bred.
VU Current Regional Assessment | NT Previous Regional Assessment | LC World Assessment

Habitats Mediterranean Batha, Parks & Woodlands, Planted Forest, Bush & Garrigue
Presence In Israel Summer Breeder, Migrant
Nesting In Israel Breeder
Migration Types Long Range
Zoography Zones Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian
Landscape Formations Plains & Valleys, Wide Wadis, Rural Area
Vegetation Formations Mediterranean Maquis, Trees, Mediterranean Garrigue, Steppe, Plantation, Parks
Vegetation Densities Low, Medium
Nest Locations Tree, Bushes
Diet Types Invertebrate
Foraging Grounds Ground, Trees and Shrubs
Body Sizes Small (up to 500g)
Threat Factors Plantations, Pesticide Poisoning, Habitat Fragmentation, Aforestation

The Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin is a medium-sized insect-eating bird, resembling a nightingale in its shape, long legs and habit to hop on the ground and extend its tail upwards. Its head and upperparts are rufous brown, white belly, and tail rufous tipped with black and white spots that are revealed when the tail is fanned. The head pattern is prominent, with a dark eye stripe and a pale supercilium. It is very noisy in the mating season and can be recognized by its rufous tail, which it spreads and bobs up and down.

Breeds in partially open landscapes with scattered trees and shrubs, in both natural and cultivated areas. It prefers rather dry areas, with sparse groves or orchards, shrubs and hedges, sometimes near human habitations.

No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species to date.

  • חביב, א. ומירוז, א. 2017. סיכום סקר עופות בערבות הירדן. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים והחברה להגנת הטבע.
  • מירוז, א. 2013. סיכום סקר ציפורים במזרח לכיש, אביב 2013. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים.
  • מירוז, א. ושוחט, א. 2014. סיכום סקר ציפורים סביב היישוב נטע במזרח לכיש – 2014. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים.
  • מירוז, א., 2007 . סיכום סקר ציפורים בגבעות גומר. דו"ח עבור רשות הטבע והגנים.
  • פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.
  • פרלמן, י., שוחט, א. ולבינגר, ז. 2009. סקר אטלס ציפורים בערבה סיכום שנת 2009. דו"ח מרכז הצפרות של החברה להגנת הטבע.
Contributed: Avner Rinot, Asaf Mayrose, Yoav Perlman, Yosef Kiat, Tuvia Kahn, Lior Kislev, Ezra Hadad, Ido Zurim, Noam Weiss, Yaron Bazer, Rei Segali, Manachem Adar, Eyal Shochat

Current Occupancy Map

Distribution maps

The maps presented here provide visual information on the distribution of species in Israel in the past and present, and the changes in occupancy and nesting density during the comparison period. For further reading


Relative Abundance 2010-2020

Breeding density values as calculated from observation records and expert opinions.

Relative Abundance 1980-1990

Breeding density values are based mainly on the book Birds of Israel (Shirihai 1996).

Occupancy difference 1990-2020

A map that expresses differences in the breeding distribution between the evaluation periods (1980-1990 versus 2010-2020). Negative value - species previously present but is currently absent, positive value - species has not been recorded previously and is currently present, zero - no change in occupancy.

Relative abundance difference 1990-2020

A map that reflects the changes in the relative abundance of the species between the evaluation periods (1980-1990 versus 2010-2020). Negative values - decline in abundance, positive values - increase in abundance, zero - no change in abundance.


Rarity
Vulnerability
Attractiveness
Endemism
Red number
Peripherality

IUCN category
Definition

() districts
Disjunctiveness:
% of protected sites

Other Species

Monticola saxatilis
Muscicapa striata
Oenanthe isabellina
Oenanthe finschii