male; black head and back; rufous breast(South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Eurasian Stone Chat
Saxicola torquatus

Native Range: Eurasia and Africa

Notes: a small and highly variable chat; similar to Whinchat but both sexes lack the white supercilium of the latter; inhabits grasslands and open areas with scrub; a Palearctic migrant that spends its winters in Africa.


white patch on side of neck; white belly (Spain; 2006-06-04)

characteristic upright stance (Spain; 2006-06-04)

white on flanks; black tail (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

female; much duller than male; greyish head (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

probably a young male (Spain; 2006-06-04)

not yet showing a fully black head (Spain; 2006-06-04)

juvenile; spotted breast; generally paler (Spain; 2006-06-04)

young male (Spain; 2006-06-04)

posing for a portrait (Spain; 2006-06-04)

male and juvenile sitting together (Spain; 2006-06-04)