Passeriformes / Muscicapidae / Monticola
White-throated Rock Thrush
Monticola gularis · 白喉矶鸫
Introduction
A species in the family Muscicapidae and order Passeriformes. It inhabits temperate forests, shrublands, and rocky areas at altitudes from 0 to 1,500 meters. The typical generation length is 3.8 years. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Description
Length ranges from 16 to 19 centimeters (6.3 to 7.5 in). Average weight is 34 grams, ranging from 32 to 37 grams. Adult males have white patches on the chin and throat, with chestnut-orange undersides; plumage includes cobalt blue and black areas. Adult females have brown or olive-brown upper parts and boldly scalloped lower parts. Young males display gray or golden-brown feathers with orange undersides.
Identification
Song is described as melancholy, flute-like, drawn-out rising whistles.
Distribution & Habitat
Native breeding range includes Manchuria, the Russian Far East, and neighboring areas; winters in Indochina and southern China. Occasionally seen in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Rare in North Korea but relatively common in China, except on the coast. Total range covers 1,710,000 square kilometers.
Behavior & Ecology
Fully migratory. Occupies breeding grounds in mixed montane forests between May and September, breeding from May to July with two broods. Nests are cup-shaped, constructed internally of tree matter, lichen, rootlets, and moss, and externally of pine needles and stems. Diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including weevils, mole crickets, and lepidopterans.
Conservation
IUCN Red List category is Least Concern. Population trend is stable, neither increasing nor declining, though exact population size is unknown. Between 1988 and 2000, categories ranged from lower risk to least concern; since 2000, it has remained Least Concern.
Culture
Widely kept as pets in modern times and consumed in some countries.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Monticola
Distribution
breeds southeastern Siberia to northeastern China and Korea; winters to southeastern Asia
Vocalizations
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
