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Birds

Birds

Common name Rock-thrush
Scientific name Monticola saxatilis
Type Cliff-nesting birds
Status Summer

Medium to small bird (about 19 cm or 7.5 in) with a characteristic colour. Males with blue-grey plumage on head and back. Orange breast and underparts. White spot on the rump. Orange wings and axilar region with darker ending. Orange tail. More discreet females, with orange tail but brown and speckled rest of the body.*

Habitats

Rocky environments

Where it lives

Rupicolous species linked to mountain areas of medium and high altitude, from a thousand meters (3,280 ft), with rocks and low scrubland with interspersed grassland. It requires the absence of trees.

How it lives

Summer species, present in Malaga only during the breeding season, which starts in April. The Rock-Thrush can make two annual layings of 4 to 5 eggs. Nest on the ground or among rocks. Strict insectivore, specialized in beetles, grasshoppers, butterflies and caterpillars. It complements its diet in autumn with fleshy fruits.

Where it can be seen in Malaga

The high areas of the Sierra de Líbar and Sierra de las Nieves are the best places to watch it. In the Great Path it is present in stages 10, 11, 26 and 33.

Curious facts

Very sparse and elusive bird that fortunately can be observed in some mountain ranges of Malaga. It is usually seen standing upright on stones or walking with jumps on the ground. Its name makes evident reference to this bird's preference for rock fields, which it uses as watchtowers to look for its prey.

Present
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Wintering Summer Resident Migration
Audios