As many return to school or work after the festive season, the Monday blues seem to be hitting hard today. But an amusing photo captured by talented local photographer Matthew Cassar – known for his expertise in bird photography – might just be the perfect cure!

The image features Malta’s national bird, the Blue Rock Thrush, or ‘Merill’ in Maltese, caught mid-scowl as Matthew expertly clicked the shutter. This striking bird, with blue plumage in males and dark brown in females, is a solitary species often found in coastal cliffs.

If you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, however, you’ll be glad to know the ‘Merill’ isn’t restricted to cliffs. It can be spotted almost anywhere - from perched on poles and wires in urban areas to resting on rubble walls in the countryside.

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A post shared by Benjamin Metzger (@ben_lanius)

Here’s another fun fact – starting in February, you might hear this bird’s melodious song, which continues until the end of May. Interestingly, only the males sing, and their tunes were once so admired that these birds were captured solely for their vocal talents. Thankfully, as a now-protected species, such practices have decreased drastically, if not totally eradicated.

Have you ever spotted a Blue Rock Thrush in the wild?