Whinchat

The whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) is a migrant bird that winters in Africa but breeds throughout Europe and Asia as far as western Siberia. In Great Britain it prefers hilly areas of the west and north, such as meadows and moors with isolated trees and bushes. It can also be seen at coastal sites during its spring and autumn migrations.

The whinchat has amber conservation status in the United Kingdom, which means that its numbers, although not in serious decline, have become a matter of some concern.


Appearance

The whinchat is a compact bird, around 12 to 14 centimetres long, with fairly long wings and a short square-ended tail. The summer plumage is streaky brown and black above with warm buff to orange on the breast and lighter further down. Prominent white lines above the eyes and along the sides of the throat mark out distinctive black cheeks. There are white patches on the tail and the wings. Winter plumage is generally duller, with dark flecks on the breast. Female whinchats look similar to the males, but with less well-defined markings and more sober colours. They also have less white on the wings and tail.


Behaviour

The whinchat has a low and jerky flight as it flits from perch to perch. It likes to perch anywhere that gives a good view, bobbing and flicking its wings and tail. It hops or runs when on the ground. It can be seen either on its own or in family groups, and it is particularly active at dusk.

The whinchat has a mixture of calls and songs, from a short “tick-tick” to a melodious warble that descends then rises in tone. Its song has been likened to that of the stonechat, redstart and robin.

The whinchat feeds mainly on insects caught on the wing. The perching mentioned above is for the purpose of spotting flies or other insects which are then swooped on. When insects are in short supply, the diet is supplemented with seeds.


Breeding

Whinchats return to their breeding grounds in late April or early May. The nest comprises a shallow depression in the ground, hidden within a thick clump of grass or under a bush. The clutch, of anything from four to seven eggs, is incubated by the female alone for up to 14 days. The young leave the nest at around 12 days old, to hide themselves in nearby safe places and still be fed by their parents. The feeding continues even after they have fledged, but this is combined with lessons from the adult birds on how to catch their own food.

Whinchats leave for their winter quarters in late August or early September.

© John Welford