Stonechats are robin sized birds. Males have striking black heads with white around the side of their neck, orange-red breasts and a mottled brown back. Females lack the male's black head, but have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests. Birds are frequently seen flicking their wings while perched, often doing so on the tops of low bushes. As its name suggests, birds utter a sharp loud call that sound like two stones being tapped together. They breed in western and southern parts of the UK, but disperse more widely in winter.
Key ID Features:
The summer male has a blackish head and throat with a white patch on the sides of the neck and a rust red breast.
Both sexes are brown backed but the male has black streaks and a white wing patch.
Similar to Whinchat but without supercilium and shorter tailed.
Overview
Scientific name: Saxicola torquata
Family: Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)
Where to see them:
Heaths, conifer plantations or coastal sites, especially in southern and western counties.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Invertebrates, seeds and fruit (eg blackberries)
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here
Location: Thurlestone Bay, Devon
Photographer: Tim Tapley LRPS
