White-throated Rock-Thrush Monticola gularis Scientific name definitions

16–19 cm; 32–37 g. Male like male M. cinclorhyncha, but mid-chin and centre of throat white, rest of underparts richer chestnut-orange, shading paler towards vent, smaller white wing patch, legs pinkish; non-breeding male has greyish-brown fringes on upperparts . Female is like female M. cinclorhyncha, but mantle, back and median wing-coverts scalloped black, with darker ear-coverts, pale post-auricular patch and submoustachial stripe, whitish chin and mid-throat, pinkish legs. Juvenile is like female but more heavily marked.

SE Russia (E from L Baikal) S to NE China (S to Hebei, also S Shanxi) and N Korea; non-breeding SE Asia and S & SE China.

Invertebrates taken all year. Stomachs from China held insects, mainly beetles (including weevils), mole-crickets and lepidopterans, and a few spiders; two stomachs of autumn migrants contained wasp larvae. Forages on ground or in small trees.

Song  a series of melancholy, flute-like, drawn-out rising whistles, interspersed with more complex phrases and short “chat-at-at”. Calls include thin “tsip” in flight, also soft “queck-queck” and sharp “tack-tack”.