The Amber Mountain rock thrush is a songbird in the family Muscicapidae. It was formerly considered as a subspecies of the forest rock thrush.
Region
Northern Madagascar
Typical Environment
This species is localized to the Montagne d’Ambre National Park and adjacent uplands. It occupies montane evergreen forest, forest edges, clearings, and areas with scattered rocks and treefall gaps. Birds often use semi-open microhabitats within forest, including paths, picnic areas, and lightly disturbed forest near streams. It tolerates some habitat modification but depends on intact forest nearby for nesting and cover.
Altitude Range
800–1600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Amber Mountain rock thrush is a Malagasy songbird restricted to the Montagne d’Ambre massif in northern Madagascar. It was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Forest Rock Thrush but is now widely recognized as a distinct species. Males show striking rufous tones compared to their relatives, a key feature that helped support the split. It favors forest edges and clearings where it hunts insects from low perches.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in territorial pairs, especially during the breeding season. Perches conspicuously on low branches or rocks and makes short flights to snatch prey. Nests are placed in cavities such as tree holes, banks, or rock crevices, where a cup of grasses and fibers is built. Both adults participate in territory defense and provisioning.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, melodious series of fluted phrases delivered from exposed perches, often at dawn. Calls include thin tseep notes and sharper chaks when alarmed. The song carries well through montane forest edges.
Plumage
Male with contrasting slaty-blue to bluish-gray head and upperparts offset by rich rufous back, rump, and orange underparts; wings darker with a subtle pale panel. Female duller brownish with faint streaking and warmer rufous tones on the rump and underparts. Both sexes show clean, well-defined color blocks typical of rock thrushes.
Diet
Primarily hunts insects such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, and flies, taken by sallying from low to mid-level perches. Also gleans prey from leaf litter and low branches. Occasionally consumes small fruits or berries, especially when insect activity is reduced.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, trails, and rocky outcrops within montane forest. Frequently uses perches with open sightlines that allow quick aerial sallies to capture flying or ground-dwelling prey.
