Blue Rock Thrush
Monticola solitarius L., 1758
Monticola cianus (L.): Klain, 1909: 8.
Order Passeriformes
FamilyMuscicapidae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Vulnerable VU C[2(a(i)] + D [1], BDA-II, III; International: BeC-II, ESC-Spec 3.
General distribution. A Paleo-Xeromontane species whose breeding area embraces the southern parts of Europe (in the north to Switzerland and Austria), Asia and Africa. It winters in Southern Asia, Western and Central Africa. In most of the area it is found all the year round.
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. Resident. It was found for the first time near Studen Kladenets Reservoir in the 60s of the previous century [1, 2]. At present, the national population is mainly concentrated in the rock complexes and the surrounding shrub associations and pastures along the valleys of the rivers Arda (mainly between the city of Kardzhali and the town of Madzharovo), Mesta (mainly between the towns of Dobrinishte and Gotse Delchev) and Struma (the southern part of Kresna Gorge) [3]. In the southern part of Kresna Gorge it has a comparatively low frequency (is found less often) and a density of 1,10 breeding pairs/km2 [4]. The total numbers in the country are between 250 and 450 breeding pairs [3].
Habitats. Rocky regions, stony shores and seaside slopes, in combination with bushy vegetation of the Mediterranean type.
Biology. 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 [1]. It mainly feeds on invertebrate animals but also on lizards with vegetation components [1].
Similar species. The Rufous-tailed Rock-thrush (Monticola saxatilis).
Negative factors. Change of the habitats and disturbance during reforestation; building of road infrastructure, reservoirs and mini hydroelectric power stations, opening mines, quarries, tourism.
Conservation measures taken. Protected according to the Biological Diversity Act. Some of the habitats are in Protected Territories (the reserves Tisata and Valchi Dol, the protected localities Patronka, Chernata Skala, Momina Skala, Kovankaya, Golemiya Sipey, etc.)
Conservation measures needed. More detailed study of the numbers and the distribution of the subpopulations and the tendencies in them, the status of the occupied habitats and the threats. Preservation of the habitats.
References. 1. Mauersberger, G., J. Stubs, 1963. 2. Donchev, 1964; 3. BSPB, in press; 4. Nikolov, Spasov, 2005.
Authors: Svetoslav Spasov, Stoyan Ch. Nikolov, Georgi Stoyanov
