Common Rock Thrush
by
Shop
Monticola saxatilis
Rare vagrants from Southern Europe with 50 records for Britain from April-June mostly.
Also known as the Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush.
It breeds in Southern Europe, which includes France & Spain from March/April-September.
They spend their Winter in North Eastern Africa, south of the Sahara.
The Summer Male is unmistakable, with a blue-grey head, orange underparts and outer tail feathers, dark brown wings and white back.
Females and Juveniles are much less striking, with dark brown scaly upperparts, and paler brown scaly underparts.
The outer tail feathers are reddish, like the Male.