About Monticola rufocinereus (Rüppell, 1837)
The little rock thrush, scientifically named Monticola rufocinereus, is a passerine bird species that belongs to the Muscicapidae family. It can be found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Yemen. This bird inhabits rocky areas including inland cliffs and mountain peaks that contain scattered trees, and it sometimes lives near human settlements. Measuring 15 to 16 centimetres, or 5.9 to 6.3 inches, in length, this is the smallest species in the Muscicapidae family. Male little rock thrushes have blue-grey colouring on the head, throat, and upper mantle, and orange-red underparts. Their tails have blackish colouring on the central portion and at the tips, which forms an inverted T shape. Females of the species are duller and paler in colour than males. Because this bird regularly trembles its tail, it is easily confused with a redstart.
