Cape Rockthrush
Monticola rupestris
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusMonticola (Rock-Thrushes)
- SpeciesMonticola rupestris (Cape Rockthrush)
About the Cape Rockthrush
The Cape Rock-Thrush (Monticola rupestris) is a member of the bird family Muscicapidae. This rock-thrush breeds in eastern and southern South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini. It is a common endemic resident, non-migratory apart from seasonal altitudinal movements in some areas.
The Cape Rock-Thrush belongs to the Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves, Order Passeriformes, Family Muscicapidae, Genus Monticola, and Species rupestris. The bird was named for its geographic location in the Cape region of southern Africa and its preference for rocky habitats, where it lives among rocks and cliffs. The scientific name Monticola rupestris reinforces this, with "Monticola" meaning "mountain-dweller" and "rupestris" meaning "living among rocks."
This bird is large and stocky for a rock thrush, measuring 21-22 cm (8.26in) in length. The adult male during the summer features a blue-grey head, orange underparts and outer tail feathers, and brown wings and back. Females have a brown head and richer orange underparts compared to other female rock thrushes.
Vocalizations are an important aspect of this species’ behavior. The male produces a whistled song described... Wikipedia →
Closest Relatives at Golden Gate Highlands National Park
Sentinel Rock-Thrush
Monticola explorator
Short-toed Rock-Thrush
Monticola brevipes
African Stonechat
Saxicola torquatus
Familiar Chat
Oenanthe familiaris
Mountain Chat
Oenanthe monticola
Buff-streaked Bushchat
Campicoloides bifasciatus
Southern Anteater-Chat
Myrmecocichla formicivora
Mocking Cliff Chat
Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris
Fiscal Flycatcher
Sigelus silens
Capped Wheatear
Oenanthe pileata
Sickle-winged Chat
Emarginata sinuata
White-browed Scrub Robin
Erythropygia leucophrys
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golden Gate Highlands National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 2 | Addo Elephant National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 3 | Pilanesberg National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 4 | Garden Route National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 5 | Table Mountain National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa | |
| 6 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Cape Rockthrush in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
About 50% of wildlife watchers report a Cape Rockthrush sighting in Golden Gate Highlands National Park, based on 81 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Cape Rockthrush in Golden Gate Highlands National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Cape Rockthrush in Golden Gate Highlands National Park in our monthly data.