Bird
Grandala
Grandala coelicolorAlso known as Blue Grandala
Grandalas form massive, synchronized flocks that wheel across high-altitude Himalayan cliffs and alpine meadows like brilliant blue clouds. Males boast striking violet-blue plumage paired with dark wings, while females wear brownish-gray coats with delicate streaking. During harsh winter weather, these alpine acrobats descend to lower montane valleys to forage on berries and cold-hardy insects.
High AltitudeDimorphicFlocking
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCaterpillars, Beetles, Berries
Predators
- Falcons
- Eagles
- Mustelids
ThreatsClimate change and alpine habitat degradation
HabitatsAlpine meadows, rocky scree, high mountain cliffs, and alpine scrub
Life span5–8 years
Classification
- FamilyMuscicapidae
- SpeciesGrandala coelicolor
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Scan expansive rock faces and open alpine ridgelines above the tree line where flocks congregate.
- Winter Encounters: Look in berry-bearing orchards and shrubby valleys when high snow forces birds down-slope.
- Disturbance: Maintain a safe distance, as tight foraging flocks flush easily when approached.
Ecological Neighbor (c) Jagdish Singh Negi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Alpine Companion (c) Paco Gómez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableSeasonal Neighbor 
Highland Relative (c) Marco Mussita, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Marco Mussita · cc-by
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