About the Siberian Stonechat
The Siberian stonechat or Asian stonechat is a recently validated species of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). Like the other thrush-like flycatchers, it was often placed in the Turdidae in the past. It breeds in the East Palearctic including in easternmost Europe and winters in the Old World tropics.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
Siberian stonechat resembles its close relative relative the European stonechat (S. rubicola), but is typically darker above and paler below, with a white rump and whiter underparts with less orange on the breast. The male in breeding plumage has black upperparts and head (lacking the brownish tones of the European stonechat), a conspicuous white collar, scapular patch and rump, and a restricted area of orange on the throat. The female has pale brown upperparts and head, white neck patches (not a full collar), and a pale, unstreaked pinkish-yellow rump.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Cambodia.
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a winter visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Grey Bush ChatSaxicola ferreusThe grey bush chat is a species of passerine bird in the family Muscicapidae.
African StonechatSaxicola torquatusThe males have a black head, a white half-collar, a black back, a white rump, and a black tail; the wings are black with a large white patch on the top side of the inner wing.
Reunion StonechatSaxicola tectesOverall, the male is black above and white below, but also with a white supercilium (sometimes absent), half-collar, and greater covert patch, and a variable-sized orange patch on the breast.
Side by side: Pied Bush Chat vs Siberian Stonechat · African Stonechat vs Siberian Stonechat · Fiscal Flycatcher vs Siberian Stonechat
Learn the Siberian Stonechat for real
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