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RockyCavity nestSmall · 54 g
What the Blue Rock Thrush sounds like
ID tip
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. The male of the subspecies M. s. philippensis has rufous-chestnut plumage from the mid-breast down to the undertail. Both sexes lack the reddish outer tail feathers of rock thrush. Monticola is a monophyletic clade as all member species share a common ancestor. M. Voice: The male blue rock thrush sings a clear, melodious call that is similar to, but louder than, the call of the rock thrush. The Europe and Asia groups both have a "short song and a long song, consisting of similar melodious whistles, trills and more burry notes." Generally, the vocalizations are similar in both groups.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Blue Rock Thrush
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 10 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is April, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Blue Rock Thrush
The map shades 81 countries with regular records, and 10 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Belgium, Australia, United States, Sweden, Niger, Finland, Papua New Guinea, Monaco, Netherlands.
About the Blue Rock Thrush
The blue rock thrush is a species of chat. This thrush-like Old World flycatcher was formerly placed in the family Turdidae. It breeds in southern Europe, northwest Africa, and from Central Asia to northern China and Malaysia. The blue rock thrush is the official national bird of Malta.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Common Rock ThrushMonticola saxatilisThis is a medium-sized but stocky thrush 17–20 cm in length.
Cape Rock ThrushMonticola rupestrisThis bird is large and stocky for a rock thrush, measuring 21-22 cm (8.26in) in length.
Blue-capped Rock ThrushMonticola cinclorhynchaThe male has a blue head, chin and throat.
Side by side: Blue Rock Thrush vs Common Rock Thrush · Blue Rock Thrush vs Cape Rock Thrush · Blue-capped Rock Thrush vs Blue Rock Thrush
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