Identification
The male is deep blue in colour with the tail and the back of the wing being darker. The female varies in colouration: from blue-grey to brown on top, with the underparts beige with mottled scale-like spots. Juveniles have no blue tint at all, and their underparts are more heavily spotted (than the female's). A young male, displaying the juvenile's feathers along with the adult's early blue feathers, is shown in the photo at the top.
Distribution - Habitat
In Europe it spreads only in its southern regions, mainly along the Mediterranean coast and some mountain ranges, and in Africa it is found in north-western, flat coastal parts. It also occurs up to the west coast of China, the Philippines and eastern Indonesia.
It occupies habitats of steep cliffs, gorges, rocky valleys and peaks, or hilly areas with rocky bedrock, large buildings in rural areas or their ruins. Usually not above an altitude of 1000m although in areas in Spain it is recorded up to 2000m altitude.
Interesting Information
- It feeds on invertebrates (mainly insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, butterfly caterpillars, beetles, snails, spiders, etc.) but also small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs and snakes. Also with fruit.
- It usually forages on the ground where it attacks from a somewhat higher point or even seeks its prey by hopping or running on it.
- Melodious song similar to that of its "cousin" the Common blackbird, but simpler and more repetitive. Sometimes includes imitations of other birds' voices.
- Both leaves sing, of course the male more often.
- On our island we will find it on coastal cliffs, on mountain tops and in hut.
- From autumn onwards the birds on Lesvos perform migrations and individuals either coming from more northerly areas or from areas within the island, also appear in the villages. So it is not surprising to see or more often hear Blue Rock thrush singing on the roofs of houses!
