Blue Rock Thrush

Monticola solitarius

Rare vagrants from Southern Europe with 5 records for Britain in May-October.

Breeds in Southern Europe, such as Spain & France.

Also breeds in North East Africa.

Winters in Western North Africa.

Rare in Winter.

The Breeding Male of the nominate subspecies is unmistakable, with all blue-grey plumage apart from its darker wings.

Females and Juveniles are much less striking, with dark brown upperparts, and paler brown scaly underparts.

Both sexes lack the reddish outer tail feathers of rock thrush.

The Male Blue Rock Thrush sings a clear, melodious call that is similar to, but louder than, the call of the Rock Thrush.