Stonechat
(Saxicola torquata)
Alert Status: Green – 118% increase
Identifying Features: 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 have brown backs and an orange tinge to their chests. Their call is a sharp loud call that sound like two stones being tapped together.
Average Length: 12.5 cm
Average Lifespan: 4 years
Average Wingspan: 18-21 cm
Beak type: Insects
Feeding:
Natural: Caterpillars, moths, ants, spiders, flies, seeds and berries
Nesting: The female constructs the cup-shaped nest from grass and moss, and then lines it with hair, wool, and feathers.
Where to see: Stonechats can often be found on heaths, conifer plantations or on coastal sites, especially in southern and western counties
