ExploreBirds

European Stonechat

Saxicola rubicola

The European Stonechat is a small, colorful bird that loves to hop around in fields and bushes. It has a sweet, cheerful song and can often be seen perched on a tall stem, looking for insects to eat.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The European Stonechat is a small, striking bird. Males have a black head with a contrasting white collar, an orange-red breast, and a dark brown back with a small white wing patch. Females are duller, with a brownish head and streaked underparts, lacking the male's distinct black and white markings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyMuscicapidaeGenusSaxicola
European Stonechat
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European Stonechat

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Despite their small size, stonechats can fiercely protect their nests from much bigger intruders!

Male stonechats sometimes raise two different broods of chicks with two different females in one summer!

Stonechats get their name from their call, which sounds exactly like two stones clicking together!

These tiny birds often perch on the very tops of bushes, acting like little sentinels watching over their home!

Special abilities

Ability

Perch Patrol

European Stonechat can perch on prominent spots to scan for insects, helping them spot tiny prey from a distance.

Ability

Chack-Chatter

European Stonechat has a distinctive call sounding like two stones tapping together, which helps them communicate and mark territory.

Ability

Feathered Forester

European Stonechat has excellent camouflage while nesting on the ground, helping them hide their eggs and young from predators.

Measurements & details

Length
11.5-13.5 cm
Wingspan
18-21 cm
Weight
0.013-0.017 kg
Lifespan
2-5 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
4-6
Incubation
13-15 days
Migration Distance
1500 km

Diet & Feeding

They mostly eat creepy-crawlies like insects and spiders they snatch from plants or the ground.

Primary Foods

  • Insects (beetles, flies, caterpillars, ants)
  • Spiders
  • Small worms
  • Occasionally berries

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Kestrel

Falco tinnunculus

Preys on eggs and nestlings.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Hunts ground-nesting birds and their young.

shelters

Common Heather

Calluna vulgaris

Uses dense bushes for nesting and cover.

hunts

Red Wood Ant

Formica rufa

Forages for these ants on the ground.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is European Stonechat?

11.5-13.5 cm

What is European Stonechat's wingspan?

18-21 cm

How much does European Stonechat weigh?

0.013-0.017 kg

How long does European Stonechat live?

2-5 years

How fast can European Stonechat move?

45 km/h

What does European Stonechat eat?

They mostly eat creepy-crawlies like insects and spiders they snatch from plants or the ground.

Where is European Stonechat usually found?

Grasslands

How does European Stonechat hunt?

Foraging

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Where to spot

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