Common Stonechat

Saxicola torquata

Other Names

  Stonechat, Gorse Chat   Tarier pâtre   Schwarzkehlchen   Tarabilla Común   Svarthakad buskskvätta   Roodborsttapuit   Saltimpalo

World: Southern Palearctic from the UK to the Mediterranean and across to sw Arabia. Africa - mainly in mountainous regions.

Kenya: Common in open habitats at higher elevations (1800-3200m). Mostly W of 38°E and S of 2°N.

A primarily insectivorous bird which perches openly on wires and fence-posts watching the ground for prey. It feeds either by swooping down on, or hawking for, insects. It is normally either solitary or found in pairs.

There is a great deal of variation between races and even individuals. In Kenya the common race is S. t. axillaris and is the typical "African Stonechat" pictured above. Unlike the European races the orange colour on the underside is confined to a small breast patch (similar to the Siberian Stonechat).