Pages

23 October 2018

Three species of Rock Thrush in one morning – Tanoumah

Whilst birding the Tanoumah area in Mid-October Phil Roberts and I saw all three species of Rock Thrush that occur in Saudi Arabia in a single morning. We located both Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Little Rock Thrush in a well-vegetated valley with the first species an uncommon passage migrant and the second a common breeding resident. We then went to Salah Al Dana and located a male Blue Rock Thrush on a pile of waste rocks and earth. This species is an uncommon passage migrant and one I had not seen in the southwest previously. Rock Thrush are always great to see as apart from their beautiful plumage they also have great character. 
Blue Rock Thrush

Blue Rock Thrush

Blue Rock Thrush

Little Rock Thrush

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush

Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush