- Monticola solitarius
Identification
21-23cm
- Blue-grey plumage
- Dark wings
Female and immature
- Dark brown upperparts
- Pale brown scaly underparts
Distribution
Southern Europe, north-western Africa (wintering to north-eastern and central Africa), Siberia to central Asia to northern China and Malaysia.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 5 subspecies[1]:
- M. s. solitarius:
- Southern Europe, north-western Africa and Middle East; winters to central Africa
- M. s. longirostris:
- M. s. pandoo:
- M. s. philippensis:
- M. s. madoci:
Habitat
Fairly conspicuous on exposed rocky slopes, road cuts even through forests, open areas including parks, and along rocky streams and rivers (on wintering grounds).
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests in rock cavities and walls. The clutch consists of 3-5 eggs.
Diet
The diet includes lizards, insects and berries.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Monticola solitarius (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Blue Rock Thrush. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Blue_Rock_Thrush
External Links
