Short-toed Rock-Thrush
Monticola brevipes
A small, compact rock-thrush with short legs. The male has a gray back and a diagnostic pearly blue-gray crown. Although some individuals (particularly farther east) have darker crowns, they retain the pale eyebrow, always giving the head a two-toned appearance. The female is differentiated from other rock-thrushes by her squat shape and white throat bordered by dark stipples. Pairs and loose groups inhabit rocky country in arid bushlands, where they perch conspicuously on taller bushes, wires, and poles. The male Sentinel Rock-Thrush has a more upright posture than Short-toed Rock-Thrush, with uniform blue-gray head coloration that extends lower on the breast. The male Cape Rock-Thrush is much larger and has a brown back.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Monticola brevipes
- Authority
- (Waterhouse, 1838)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Monticola
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-headed Robin
Larvivora ruficeps
A shy ground-dwelling songbird with a highly restricted range. Male is unmistakable, with a bright rusty-orange hood and a white throat thickly bordered in black. Its tail is also rusty and black, but this is often difficult to see; listen for its melodic and surprisingly powerful warbling song, reminiscent of a thrush’s. The female is brown overall without any key distinguishing characteristics. Darker face and no traces of blue anywhere on the body help distinguish it from similar Siberian Blue Robin. Breeds in subalpine forests with a dense understory in a small area of central China. Very rare and possibly nearing extinction.
Wattled Curassow
Crax globulosa
Very large black gamebird with a red bill. Males have a white ventral region which is chestnut in females. Strongly associated with riparian environments, especially seasonally flooded forest and river islands, where it is quite arboreal. Now very rare over much of its range because of overhunting.
Australian Swiftlet
Aerodramus terraereginae
Small plain grayish swiftlet with a pale rump and a slightly darker cap. Almost always seen in flight; note slender wings, very quick stiff wing beats. Possible confusion with Tree Martin, which is much paler below with a paler rump, plumper body, and shorter wings. Abundant in tropical north Queensland.
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