Blue rock-thrush

The range of the species covers the southern parts of Europe (north to Switzerland and Austria), Asia and Africa. Winters in South Asia, West and Central Africa. In most of its range it is found all year round. In Bulgaria the population of the species is distributed in rock complexes and adjacent bush communities and pastures along the rivers Arda, between Kardzhali and Madzharovo, Mesta, between Dobrinishte and Gotse Delchev and the Struma river (southern part of the Kresna gorge).

The Blue rock-thrush in Bulgaria reaches a body length of up to 20 cm. The plumage of males is dark blue with black wings and tail. In females, it is brown above, the throat is rusty red, and the rest of the plumage is brown with scaly spots. Young individuals resemble females.

It breeds in rock cracks (most often at a height of about 3 m) and in abandoned stone buildings. It lays 3-6 eggs in April – May. It mainly feeds on invertebrate animals but also on lizards with vegetation components.

They prefer rocky areas, rocky shores and coastal slopes and are combined with Mediterranean-type shrubs.

Unknown.

This species is included in the Red Book of Bulgaria under the category “Vulnerable” (VU) and also in Annex 3 of the Biodiversity Act (BDA).

The Blue rock-thrush is also included in Annex II of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of Wild Fauna and Flora and Natural Habitats.

It is also included the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – with the category “Least Concern” (LC).

*Note: For the description of birds is used information from: Golemanski, V. & al. (eds). 2015. Red Data Book of the Republic of Bulgaria. Vol. 2. Animals. BAS & MoEW, Sofia [English ed.: ISBN 978-954-9746-22-8 (IBER – BAS), 978-954-8497-18-3 (MoEW)]; Michev T., D. Simeonov, L. Profirov. 2012. Birds of the Balkan Peninsula. Ecotan, Sofia, 300 pp; the website of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).