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Photo by kyyroju
Location: Aali, Bahrain
The photo shows a male.

Monticola saxatilis

[edit] Identification

17-20 cm
Male

• Pale slate-blue-grey head, neck and mantle
• Underparts and outer tail feathers are chestnut-orange
• Dark brown wings
• White blaze on back

Females and Immatures

• Dark brown scaly upperparts
• Paler brown scaly underparts.
• Outer tail feathers are reddish, like the male.

Photo by john-henry
Female
Sierra de Gredos, Spain May 2007

[edit] Distribution

Southern Europe across central Asia to northern China.

[edit] Taxonomy

[edit] Habitat

Open dry hilly areas, usually above 1500m.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Breeding

It nests in rock cavities, laying 4-5 eggs.

[edit] Diet

The diet includes a wide range of insects and berries.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

1. Wikipedia
2. Collins Field Guide 5th Edition

[edit] External Links