Bird Guide

Blue Rock Thrush vs Common Rock Thrush

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius)

Blue Rock Thrush

Monticola solitarius

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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.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Blue Rock Thrush
Recorded by Tanguy Loïs · Song · Arrondissement de Corte (near Corte), Haute-Corse, Corsica, France · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: jose maria carretero palacios from jerez de los caballeros, españa · CC BY 2.0
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 Rock Thrush and Common Rock Thrush.