Common Stonechat, Siberian Stonechat - A Field Guide to Birds of Armenia ::Acopian Center for the Environment

Common Stonechat, Siberian Stonechat

Saxicola torquata

(S. t. rubicola, S. t. armenica, S. t. variegata, S. t. maura)

Armenian Name:	Սևագլուխ չքչքան

Armenian Name:

Սևագլուխ չքչքան

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	12.5 cm, Wing Span:18-21 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 245.
Description:	S. t. rubicola: all-black tail, streaked rump; S. t. armenica: white on base of black tail, unstreaked white rump; S. t. variegata: basal half of tail white, unstreaked white rump. ^^^^^^^S. t. maura (sometimes considered a separate species, Siberian Stonechat): Black tail lacking any white at base. Non-breeding- faint pale supercilium and large unstreaked pale orange rump; throat white to pale gray. Pale brown above with dark broken lines on back. Female- paler than male with a white throat. Behavior- sits on open perch; drops to ground to capture prey. Habitat- scrubby grasslands, edges of reedbeds, field edges.^^^^^^^
Adult (Breeding):	Male has brown-black head and upperparts with variably-sized white patches on neck and wing; variably orange breast and flanks. Female is mottled brown-gray above.
Adult (Non-breeding):	Much duller with pale feather edges.
Juvenile:	Dull gray-brown above; underparts show brown feather tips.
Behavior:	Constantly flicks tail.
Habitat:	Mountain steppe, woodland glades, fields.
Food:	Invertebrates, seeds.
Nest:	Grassy cup lined with hair and wool, on ground under grass tussock or in bush.
Eggs:	18 mm, 4-6, deep bluish-green, red-brown spots.

Resident Status:

Year-round resident

Abundance:

Uncommon

Length:

12.5 cm, Wing Span:18-21 cm

Distribution Map:

Map 245.

Description:

S. t. rubicola: all-black tail, streaked rump; S. t. armenica: white on base of black tail, unstreaked white rump; S. t. variegata: basal half of tail white, unstreaked white rump. ^^^^^^^S. t. maura (sometimes considered a separate species, Siberian Stonechat): Black tail lacking any white at base. Non-breeding- faint pale supercilium and large unstreaked pale orange rump; throat white to pale gray. Pale brown above with dark broken lines on back. Female- paler than male with a white throat. Behavior- sits on open perch; drops to ground to capture prey. Habitat- scrubby grasslands, edges of reedbeds, field edges.^^^^^^^

Adult (Breeding):

Male has brown-black head and upperparts with variably-sized white patches on neck and wing; variably orange breast and flanks. Female is mottled brown-gray above.

Adult (Non-breeding):

Much duller with pale feather edges.

Juvenile:

Dull gray-brown above; underparts show brown feather tips.

Behavior:

Constantly flicks tail.

Habitat:

Mountain steppe, woodland glades, fields.

Food:

Invertebrates, seeds.

Nest:

Grassy cup lined with hair and wool, on ground under grass tussock or in bush.