Blue Rock-thrush

Monticola solitarius

This striking songbird with its rich blue plumage can be found perched on top of rocky outcrops from Europe to Asia, living up to its name as a true rock-dweller.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Blue Rock-thrush is a small thrush with a distinctive appearance. Males boast a striking, deep blue plumage covering most of their body, with slightly darker wings and tails. Their slender black bill and legs contrast sharply with their vibrant feathers.

Females and juveniles differ significantly from males, with a mottled brown plumage with subtle barring. This dimorphism aids in camouflage during nesting.

Size

Length

21cm to 23cm

Wingspan

33cm to 37cm

Weight

40g to 70g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Blue

Secondary Colour

Grey Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Grey

Beak Colour (Female)

Black

Leg Colour (Female)

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Blue Rock-thrush can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Blue Rock-thrush can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Blue Rock-thrush can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Blue Rock-thrush is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Blue Rock-thrushes inhabit a wide range of rocky environments, from coastal cliffs and rocky hillsides to mountains and urban areas with old buildings or ruins. They are found across southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, extending east to Japan and the Philippines.

In winter, some populations migrate to warmer regions, including North Africa and the Middle East. They are occasional vagrants in the UK, particularly in autumn and winter.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 3,600 meters

Climate zones

Mediterranean, Subtropical, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Blue Rock-thrush. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons