Bird Guide

Blue-capped Rock Thrush vs Common Rock Thrush

Blue-capped Rock Thrush (Monticola cinclorhyncha)

Blue-capped Rock Thrush

Monticola cinclorhyncha

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The male has a blue head, chin and throat. The upper parts are blue and black. The rump and underparts are chestnut brown. There is a white patch on the wing that is visible during flight. The female bird is brown with a brown and white underside.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Vedant Raju Kasambe · CC BY 4.0
Common Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis)

Common Rock Thrush

Monticola saxatilis

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This is a medium-sized but stocky thrush 17–20 cm in length. The summer male is unmistakable, with a blue-grey head, orange underparts and outer tail feathers, dark brown wings and white back. Females and immatures are much less striking, with dark brown scaly upperparts, and paler brown scaly underparts. The outer tail feathers are reddish, like the male.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Common Rock Thrush
Recorded by Thomas SIGNEAU · Song · Arrondissement de Florac (near Gatuzières), Lozère, Occitanie, France · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Sameer Shaik · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Blue-capped Rock Thrush and Common Rock Thrush.