Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius
Male Blue Rock Thrush, Kato Zacro, Crete, October 2002 - click for larger image

Crete, Morocco, Spain and Ethiopia

The Blue Rock-thrush is distributed in southern Europe, north Africa, the Middle East and across Asia into China and Japan. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is found on rocky coastlines and cliffs, in mountain valleys and in large ruined buildings.

Female Blue Rock Thrush, Kato Zacro, Crete, October 2002 - click for larger image They feed on insects, lizards and fruit.

It is slightly smaller than a Blackbird and the male is a dull blue-grey with blackish wings. The female is dark brown and mottled with a dark throat as seen in the 2nd photo. The 3rd and 4th photos are of a young male, probably 1st winter plumage with mottling and pale tips to the primary coverts.

1st winter (?) male Blue Rock Thrush, Kato Zacro, Crete, October 2002 - click for larger image Photo 9, taken in Ethiopia shows a male in winter plumage or an immature male.
1st winter (?) male Blue Rock Thrush, Kato Zacro, Crete, October 2002 - click for larger image
Male Blue Rock Thrush, Oukaimeden, Morocco, April 2014 - click for larger image
Male Blue Rock Thrush, Boumalne du Dades, Morocco, April 2014 - click for larger image
Male Blue Rock Thrush, Ronda, Spain, March 2017 - click for larger image
Male Blue Rock Thrush, Monfrague, Spain, March 2017 - click for larger image
Blue Rock Thrush, Lake Langano, Ethiopia, January 2016 - click for larger image
Male Blue Rock Thrush, Monfrague, Spain, May 2022 - click for larger image
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