Saxicola torquata
TAXONOMY
Saxicola torquata Linnaeus, 1766.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Common stonechat; French: Traquet pвtre; German:
Schwartzkehlchen; Spanish: Tarabilla Comъn.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
4.9 in (12.5 cm); 0.46–0.60 oz (13–17 g). Males have black
heads, orange breasts, and large white patches on the sides of
the neck. Females and juveniles have a similar plumage pattern,
but have brown (rather than black) heads and less ponounced
orange and white areas.
DISTRIBUTION
Britain and Ireland, Europe from Denmark south to Iberia and
east to Black Sea, Middle East, locally Arabia; Asia east to Japan,
south to China; scattered through Africa south to the Cape.
HABITAT
Heath and rough grassland with thorny scrub, young plantations,
forest clearings with bushy undergrowth, open coastal
strip above rocky shore and cliffs.
BEHAVIOR
In pairs or family groups, perching on open bush tops or tall
stems, overhead wires, giving frequent harsh, scolding calls.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Insects and other small invertebrates.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Monogamous and territorial; nest on or close to ground in
dense vegetation, well hidden, sheltered from sun, loosely woven
from grass stems, with entrance tunnel; four to six eggs incubated
for 13–14 days by female; fledging period 13 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
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