European Stonechat

Saxicola rubicola

Genus · Stonechats and Bushchats Family · Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
BushesFencesMarine

Look for a bird with a black head and white neck sitting on top of a gorse bush. If it lacks a white eyebrow, it's a Stonechat.

European Stonechat

♂ Male · ♀ Female

Stats
Wingspan18–21 cm
Weight13–18 g
Length12–13 cm
Lifespan wild2–6 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeCup
Clutch size4–6 eggs
Incubation13–15 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationPartial migratory
Social BehaviourMonogamous pairs

Diet: Insectivore

🦗Insects
🌻Seeds
🐌Snails
🕷️Spiders

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌿 Grassland🌊 Marine🏜️ Scrub wasteland
✦ Fun Fact

Western European Stonechats are mostly resident. However, the Eastern 'Siberian' Stonechats are long-distance migrants and appear as rare autumn visitors.

About

A bold bird of coastal heaths and rough wasteland. The Stonechat is a resident or short-distance migrant. It has an upright posture and sits on the very top of bushes or fence posts. It is a hardy bird that stays in its territory even in mid-winter. Stonechat has an unusual call which sounds like stones clicking together.

Behaviour

Stonechats are highly territorial. They are very visible because they always choose the highest possible perch. They frequently flick their wings and tail. They nest low in thick gorse or grass. Unlike the Whinchat, they do not have a pale eyebrow.

Sexual Dimorphism

♂ Male

Striking with a jet-black head, a white half-collar on the neck, and a bright orange-red breast. He has a dark, streaky back.

♀ Female

Much more camouflaged. She has a brown head rather than black. She lacks the bold white neck patch and has a paler orange breast.

Similar species

Whinchat
🐦
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetra
See European Stonechat in the app.
Full encyclopedia, offline diary, AI identification — always with you.
Download on Google Play