Cape Rock Thrush
Monticola rupestris
Rocky slopes and cliffs. Both sexes have rufous underparts, rump and tail; male with rufous mantle, grey head and neck; female speckled brown above.
Chats, Robins, Thrushes
LC
Endemic
Description
Common endemic resident. Larger and more bulky than other rock-thrushes, both sexes more richly coloured. Immature more spotted than adult. The song is a soft ‘checheroo’ followed immediately by a loud ‘cheewoo-chirri-cheewoo-tiriri’, often repeated. Pairs frequent montane slopes, rocky, bush-covered hillsides at all altitudes, and rocky gorges.
Quick Facts
Size
21 cm - M
Names
A: Kaapse Kliplyster
Z: isiHlalamatsheni
Ss: Thume-Hlohoputswa
G: Klippenrötel
Bird Family
Largely terrestrial, insectivorous or frugivorous birds that sing from trees, some robins rating as among our finest songsters. The sexes are alike unless otherwise stated, while immatures usually have the feathers of the upperparts pale-edged, the underparts spotted.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
Pairs frequent montane slopes, rocky, bush-covered hillsides at all altitudes, and rocky gorges.
