White-throated Rock Thrush

Overview

The white-throated rock thrush is a migratory passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is native to East Asia, breeding in Manchuria and the Russian Far East before wintering in Indochina and southern China. The species is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Plumage: Adult males feature white chins and throats contrasting with chestnut-orange undersides, while adult females have brown or olive-brown upper parts and boldly scalloped lower parts. Both sexes display patches of cobalt blue and black, and young males are grey or golden-brown.
• Size: Length ranges from 16 to 19 cm with an average weight of 34 g.
• Song: Described as melancholy, flute-like, drawn-out rising whistles.

Habitat

This species inhabits temperate forests, mixed montane forests, shrubland, and rocky areas between 0 and 1,500 m in elevation. It breeds in these regions from May to July, typically producing two broods, before migrating to winter in Indochina and southern China.

Diet

The diet consists mainly of invertebrates, including weevils, mole crickets, and lepidopterans.

Did you know?

In modern times, these birds are widely kept as pets and are consumed as food in some countries.