Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
Summer plumage unmistakable, with black underparts framed in white, with white and grey-speckled upperparts. Diagnostic in all plumages are the black armpits, which are clearly visible in flying birds. Also shows white wing-bars and very pale tail, with some barring. Winter-plumaged and juvenile birds speckled in grey with white underparts. Can be mistaken for Golden Plover. Especially the juveniles, which may have faint golden tone to plumage. Note instead heavier bill with swollen tip and bulkier body.
Sound:Contact call diagnostic. A plaintive, drawn and trisyllabic (but continuous) "kleeooowee". Pitch falls on second syllable and rises on last.
Contact call:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCCC-photo:bathyporeia, Licence,Link.CC-sound:Paul Marvin, Licence,Link.
Compact built bird attached to rocky habitat. Differs in all plumages from Blue Rock-thrush, Monticola solitarius by short, rufous tail and shorter bill. Primary projection very long, and wing-tips almost reaches end of tail in perching birds. Male in breeding plumage unmistakable with blue-grey head, orange-buff underparts and white patch on back (variable). Male resembles female and immature birds when not in breeding plumage, but can sometimes be sexed by partly grey head and hints of white on back. General characteristics of non-breeding plumage are greyish brown and speckled upperparts, and orange-buff, vermiculated underparts. Then told from female Blue Rock-thrush by aforementioned different build, bill and tail, and also by paler throat-sides/breast and warmer rufous flanks. Posture usually upright with giss resembling more a wheatear than a thrush.
Sound:Alarm call a soft, wheatear-like "peeu", often accompanied by harder "tek" calls. Also a very nasal, drawn-out wheeze. Song varied and pleasing, and often very difficult to tell from Blue Rock-thrush. It is generally softer, more varied and the deeper notes are less tremulous and vibrating. A higher proportion of the song is in the higher register, with fewer lower fluting sounds, and more mimicry. Both sexes sing, but females less than males.
Song:
Distribution:
Xeno-canto: map
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCCC-photo:gilgit2, Licence,Link.