Monticola saxatilis
Vulnerable
Contributed:
| Habitats | Rocky Terrain, Alpine Scrubland |
|---|---|
| Presence In Israel | Summer Breeder, Migrant |
| Nesting In Israel | Breeder |
| Migration Types | Long Range |
| Zoography Zones | Alpine |
| Landscape Formations | Mountainous, Rugged Terrain |
| Vegetation Densities | Low |
| Nest Locations | Ground, Cliffs |
| Diet Types | Invertebrate |
| Foraging Grounds | Ground |
| Body Sizes | Small (up to 500g) |
| Threat Factors | Habitat Fragmentation |
The Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush is a colorful passerine the size of a blackbird that inhabits rocky mountainous areas. The brightly colored male has a rusty orange belly, a bluish head, throat and nape and dark grey wings. The female and juveniles are browner, occasionally with a pattern of crescent-shaped patches. Its body is rounded and stocky and with a relatively long and strong bill. The tail is short, square and rusty red in all plumages.
Migrates in small numbers throughout Israel, mainly in spring. It breeds only on Mt. Hermon, with the exception of one nest found in the Upper Galilee in the 1990s. The breeding survey conducted on Mt. Hermon in summer 2013 estimated the breeding population there at approximately 10 pairs (Israeli & Perlman 2013).
Favors mountain slopes and rocky landscapes, usually at altitudes over 1,500 meters.
The population is threatened by development on Mt. Hermon, including roadworks, development of ski runs and other installations.
No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species to date.
- ישראלי, נ. ופרלמן, י. 2013. סיכום סקר עופות מקננים בחרמון. דו"ח מרכז הצפרות של החברה להגנת הטבע.
- פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.
- Shirihai, H., 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London.
- Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
- Species page at Birdlife International
Contributed:
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.
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