Male Stonechat
No, it’s not a Robin or even a type of Thrush, although scientists used to think it was... The Stonechat is now thought to belong to the Flycatcher family. It perches about a meter from the ground staying in one spot for about half a minute before fluttering up to catch some insect.
The male is striking wee bird with a black head, white collar and russet chest. The female is less striking, switching the black head for a more brown and beige striped affair.
Female Stonechat
As in so many species, the male shows off while the female is built for blending in. This doesn’t happen in every bird species but when it does it’s called plumage dimorphism.
The female below is pictured amongst a clump of swaying grass on a hogweed seed head. As a wee aside, the hogweed is called Berenklauw by the Dutch which means Bear’s Claw.
The male Stonechat has a high chittering song but both sexes make a characteristic clicking call that sounds like two stones knocking together - hence the name.
These shots were taken near the coast but you’ll also find them on moorland around here. I’ve seen them many times on Carman Hill in spring and summer. They nest between March and July but not every brood makes it. Breeding failure is often down to predation or even heavy rainfall.
interestingly, other birds, like Meadow pipits will stay close to Stonechats when feeding. Excellent lookouts, they’re good at spotting predators and sounding the alarm...