Bird · GBIF taxon 2492521
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetraAlso known as Grass Chat
Whinchats are compact, lively songbirds that breed across grasslands and heathlands of Europe before embarking on a long migration to sub-Saharan Africa. They forage by perching prominently on tall vegetation, fence posts, or wire lines, darting down to snap up insects from the grass. Distinguishable by their bold white eye stripe, males showcase a warm orange breast during the spring breeding season.
MigratorySongbirdInsectivore
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Caterpillars
- Spiders
Predators
- Eurasian Kestrel
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk
- Domestic Cat
ThreatsAgricultural intensification, early meadow mowing, and habitat loss
HabitatsUpland pastures, wet meadows, heathlands, and rough grassland
Life span2–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyMuscicapidae
- GenusSaxicola
- SpeciesSaxicola rubetra
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for small songbirds with a prominent white eye stripe perching atop tall weeds or fences in open meadows.
- Support conservation
- Keep dogs on leashes and stay on marked trails when visiting open meadows between May and July.
Responsible observation
- Scan fence lines: Scan tall weeds, fence posts, and bushes in rough grassland for perching birds.
- Listen for calls: Listen for a sharp, clicking call that sounds like two stones striking together.
- Maintain distance: Keep to established paths to avoid disturbing ground nests during late spring.
Ecological Neighbor Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Ron Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member Jerzy Strzelecki / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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