Brant Goose (Branta bernicla)
Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis)
A small, dark goose. Thin white collar on adults, juveniles with all black neck. Seems all black from a distance, except for the white vent. Easily told from Barnacle Goose by the lack of contrast between neck and belly, even at long distance. Subspecies hrota, bernicla and nigricans can be distinguished by plumage characters. B.b.hrota: Brownish rather than dark grey belly, and pale between legs. B.b.bernicla: Grey part of belly also reaching behind and between legs. B.b.nigricans: Almost black belly. "Necklace" more distinct, reaching to the front of neck.
Sound:A bubbling, trembling, ascending, three syllable "ahrahrrhit", quite different from other geese.
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
CCSounds:Recorded by Jens kirkeby,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license
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.