The breeding population of the Blue rock thrush Monticola solitarius on Comino island in 1988

Abstract

For the past 15-20 years, Comino was visited annually in spring, mostly by members of the Malta Ornithological Society. Records of birds seen were always kept and the Blue rock thrush Monticola solitarius was always listed. Estimates of the breeding population were always based on the number of birds seen. Five to ten pairs was the usual estimate. The authors of this paper tried to monitor the exact number of Blue rock thrushes breeding on the island in 1988. The Blue rock thrush is a fairly common breeding resident in the Maltese Islands. It is mainly found breeding along sea cliffs, but some pairs are still to be found inland along hills, rocky valleys as well as in some fortifications. The nest is mostly built in crags in cliff faces. (Sultana & Gauci 1982).