Blue Rock-Thrush

Medium-sized thrush-like bird, often seen on mountainsides, sea cliffs, quarries, ruins, and even towns. Males usually unmistakable: western birds are dark blue all over, but may appear all dark at a distance; eastern birds are blue with orange underparts. Females dark brown above, finely barred below. Long bill, wings, and tail make for a distinctive and very different shape than Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush. Song is melodic and blackbird-like.

Blue Rock Thrush breeds from Iberia and north-west Africa east to China and Japan, favouring cliffs and rocky outcrops in mountainous regions. While eastern populations tend to be more migratory in habits, those from the western end of the range are mainly resident or make seasonal altitudinal movements.

An omnivore, the blue rock thrush eats a wide variety of insects and small reptiles in addition to berries and seeds.