Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)

 

Common Name (in English) Blue Rock Thrush
(in Chinese) 藍磯鶇、亞東藍石鶇、水嘴、麻石青
Scientific Name (in Latin) Monticola solitarius
Peculiar characteristics / external features: The blue rock thrush is a starling-sized bird, 21–23 cm (8.3–9.1 in) in length with a long slim bill. The breeding male of the nominate subspecies is unmistakable, with all blue-grey plumage apart from its darker wings. Females and immatures are much less striking, with dark brown upperparts, and paler brown scaly underparts.
Distributions: The European, north African and southeast Asian birds are mainly resident, apart from altitudinal movements. Other Asian populations are more migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, India and southeast Asia. This bird is a very uncommon visitor to northern and western Europe.
Habits:
l   Dietary The blue rock-thrush feeds on a wide variety of prey species, including invertebrates such as grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, beetles, spiders, snails and earthworms, and, despite its small size, small vertebrates such as geckos, snakes, frogs and mice. During the winter, the blue rock-thrush will also take fruits, berries and seeds.
l   Reproductive (Solitary/Social/Territorial, Courtship Behavior, Taking care of youngs, etc) Different populations and subspecies breed at different times. In general, the breeding period lasts for around two to three months, beginning in some parts of the range as early as January, although more often between April and May, and finishing in all areas by July. The blue rock-thrush builds a loosely constructed, shallow cup-like nest of coarse dry grass, moss and leaves, which is lined with soft grass, feathers and plant down. It is usually placed around two to five metres off the ground, under overhanging rocks or in crevices on cliffs. The female blue rock-thrush lays between 3 and 6 eggs in a clutch, which hatch after an incubation period of 12 to 15 days. The young chicks remain in the nest for around 15 to 18 days, and remain dependent on the adult for around two weeks after fledging.
l   Whatever appropriate
Interesting Fact: The Blue Rock Thrush is the national bird of Malta and these birds migrate nocturnally.

References:

  1. https://www.hbw.com/ibc/species/blue-rock-thrush-monticola-solitarius
  2. http://eol.org/pages/1177974/overview

 

Voice of Blue Rock Thrush:

https://identify.whatbird.com/obj/1206/overview/Blue_Rock_Thrush.aspx

Video: