This is the female Blue Rock-Thrush (Monticola solitarius). Size 23 cm (9 in). Overall bright blue with scale-like feathers. Female is paler in colour with a blend of grey and brown particularly the underparts where the scaled feathers are even more obvious.

It is found throughout southern Europe and temperate asia, South-East Asia to Sumatra, Sulawesi and the Philippines. This bird is resident at low elevation, south to Singapore. It is found around limestone outcrops and coastal towns. It likes to hop on the ground foraging for food.

This particular bird was shot at Kek Look Tong, a local Buddhist cave temple here in Ipoh a few kilometers from my home.