• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Endangered because it has a very small extent of occurrence and its forest habitat is declining in both area and quality. The population is small and suspected to be declining, albeit slowly. The validity of this taxon is doubtful and it may not be recognised as a species in the future.

Population justification
The total population is estimated to number fewer than 5,000 individuals (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003), roughly equivalent to 3,300 mature individuals.

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be declining at an unquantified rate, owing to limited habitat loss (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003).

Monticola erythronotus is restricted to a single mountain, the Amber Mountain massif in northern Madagascar, and it probably has an extent of occurrence of less than 400 km². The total population is estimated to number less than 5,000 individuals, which occur in a single block of forest on the upper slopes of one mountain, and may be declining, although so far there has been relatively low levels of habitat loss (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003).

The species's ecology is poorly known. It inhabits mid-altitude and montane humid, evergreen forest from 800-1,300 m, and forages inconspicuously in the understorey and on the ground. The species nests in tree hollows or in crevices under overhangs (Morris and Hawkins 1998).

Presently, there are few threats to the species. Habitat destruction through commercial logging and clearance for subsistence agriculture are widespread threats in Madagascar and may ultimately threaten this species. The clearance of forest on Amber Mountain has so far been limited (F. Hawkins in litt. 2003). Climate change may prove to be a threat (R. Andriamasimanana in litt. 2016).

Conservation Actions Underway
No species specific action is known to have been taken.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Identify the species's ecological requirements. Conduct a survey and extrapolate data for all rainforest on Amber Mountain to assess the species's population size (M. Rabenandrasana in litt. 2007). Once a baseline population estimate has been obtained, continue to monitor its numbers. Protect the species's habitat on Amber Mountain.

16 cm. Small forest-dwelling thrush. Males have blue hoods, chestnut upperparts, bright orange tail with brown central feathers and orange underparts. Females are much duller, mostly brown (although have an orange wash on the underparts) and lack the blue hood. Similar spp. Males told from other rock-thrushes by diagnostic dark rufous back, females have bright orange tails and lack white streaking on the breast. Voice Poorly known but some phrases resemble those delivered by M. sharpei.

Text account compilers
Benstead, P., Ekstrom, J., Taylor, J., Symes, A. & Westrip, J.

Contributors
Hawkins, F., Rabenandrasana, M. & Andriamasimanana, R.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Amber Mountain Rock-thrush Monticola erythronotus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/amber-mountain-rock-thrush-monticola-erythronotus on 21/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 21/12/2024.