Blue-capped rock thrush
Old magazine house, Dandeli,Karnataka
Information of Blue-capped rock thrush
| IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature): | Least Concern |
|---|---|
| Approximate size(adult): | Medium-sized thrush, about 17–19 cm long. Males are striking with a bright blue head and nape, orange chest and underparts, and blue wings with blackish tips. Females are duller, brownish with faint spotting and a bluish tinge on the wings. |
| Resident/ Migrate from: | Migratory species — breeds in the Himalayas and adjoining hill ranges of northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Southeast Asia. |
| Migrate to: | During winter, it moves to the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and central & southern India. Also seen in parts of Sri Lanka during the colder months. |
| Breeding season: | April to July in its breeding range. Builds a cup-shaped nest in rock crevices, cliffs, or forest banks. Both parents share incubation and care for chicks. |
| Breed in: | Prefers mountainous and forested regions — pine forests, rocky slopes, and wooded hillsides, usually between 1,500–3,000 meters above sea level. |
| Habitat: | Found in open forests, rocky valleys, wooded hills, and clearings near streams. In winter, it can be seen in gardens and forest edges at lower altitudes. |
| Diet: | Feeds mainly on insects, small invertebrates, and occasionally berries and fruits. Hunts from perches, darting to the ground to catch prey. |