- ‹ previous
- 355 of 415
- next ›
Recordings
Scientific Name
Monticola saxatilis
Arabic Name
سمنة الصخور
Kuwaiti name
سمنة زيانية وشيانية
Length
19.0 cm
Information
Uncommon passage migrant. A colourful mountain bird, occurring in lowland habitats in Kuwait on passage. Up to 10 have been recorded together on passage in Ahmadi, in early May 1967.
Where in Kuwait
It is found on rocky mountain slopes and wadis as well as open areas with light vegetation and is recorded in SAANR, along Jal Al-Zor escarpment in suitable habitat in the south and north of the country as well as the oasis farm at Al Abraq
In the world
It has an extremely large range with a population that is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. It breeds in southern Europe across central Asia to northern China. This species is strongly migratory, all populations wintering in Africa south of the Sahara. The summer male is unmistakable, with a blue-grey head, orange underparts and outer tail feathers, dark brown wings and white back. It is an omnivorous bird that spends much of its time flitting over light vegetation in search of food, eventually resting on a perch from which it will hunt.
Local threats
Habitat loss and degradation and indiscriminate shooting