Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameSaxicola torquata FamilyChats and thrushes (Turdidae) OverviewStonechats 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. Where to see themHeaths, conifer plantations or coastal sites, especially in southern and western counties. When to see themAll year round What they eatInvertebrates, seeds and fruit (eg blackberries) Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
|---|
| - | 9,000-23,000 pairs | - | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out more
Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |