Blue Rock Thrush

Scientific Name: Monticola solitarius
Malay Name: Tarum Biru
Chinese Name: 蓝矶鸫

Range:
Found from southern Europe to Northwest Africa, Middle East, Indian subcontinent, China, Japan and Southeast Asia.

Taxonomy:
Polytypic. Subspecies are: solitarius, longirostris, pandoo, philippensis, madoci

Local Subspecies: philippensis

Size: 21-23 cm

Identification: Non-breeding male has dull greyish-blue plumage with blackish and white bars/scales and distinctive chestnut lower breast to vent while breeding male is bluer overall and lacks bars/scales. Female and juvenile resemble male but lack the chestnut plumage.

Habitat: Forest and mostly in urban areas.

Behaviour/Ecology: Attracted to gardens located in high-rise buildings.

Local Status: Rare migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

Location: Sentosa, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Tanah Merah, Pinnacle@Duxton and Ascentia Sky.

Photos:

Male Blue Rock Thrush at Sentosa. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Blue Rock Thrush at Sentosa. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Male Blue Rock Thrush at Sentosa. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Subadult male Blue Rock Thrush at Sentosa. Photo Credit: Jonathan Cheah

Subadult male Blue Rock Thrush at Sentosa. Photo Credit: Jonathan Cheah

Subadult male Blue Rock Thrush at Sentosa. Photo Credit: Jonathan Cheah

Male Blue Rock Thrush at Pinnacle@Duxton. Photo Credit: Alan Ng

Male Blue Rock Thrush at Pinnacle@Duxton. Photo Credit: Alan Ng

External Links:
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page
Photos: Oriental Bird Images
Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link
Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

Reference:
Craig Robson (2011) A Field Guide to the Birds of South-East Asia
David Wells (2007) The Birds of Thai-Malay Peninsula, Volume 2