【BLUE ROCKTHRUSH】

The Isohiyodori, or Blue Rockthrush, is a resident bird that belongs to the Turdidae family and can be seen almost all over Japan. You can find them on seaside rocks or even in villages and towns near the sea. The male’s head and back are colored blue, while his abdomen is dark red. The female has a dark brown color with whitish scalelike spots on her abdomen.

 

In the breeding season from spring to early summer, the male warbles in a beautiful voice on cliffs, roofs or telephone poles. They bild their nests in cracks on seaside ledges or in gaps of eaves of houses or barns.

 

It is said they prefer to catch insects and sea lice.

When I observed them near the nest at a private home, the Blue Rockthrush couple even carried hairly caterpillars and lizards to their chicks, in addition to other food.