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The Stonechat, ( Saxicola torquata ) resembles the Whinchat, ( Saxicola rubetra ) but is (Stonecaht ) a plumper, more upright bird, perching on the tops of bushes, constantly flirting its tail and flicking its wings. In summer plumage the male's head is black with white patches on the sides of the neck; there is also a white wing patch and a whitish area on the rump. The under-parts are orange-chestnut and the tail is dark. The female is a drabber version of the male and lacks the white rump and neck patch. In autumn and winter the male's markings too are less distinct, with juvenile birds looking similar to the female. The Stonechat mainly feeds on the ground, darting from its perch to take an insect, caterpillar or spider, but it will frequently capture moths and flies on the wing. Seeds are occasionally eaten. In flight the white in the wing is noticeable, while the bird's shorter-tailed, rounder-winged look should rule out the Whinchat. Extract from RSPB Complete Birds of Britain by Rob Hume. The Collins Gem Guide. Birds.British Birds. A field Guide. Alan J.Richards. |
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