Stonechat
Scientific Name: Saxicola torquataMaltese Name: Bucaqq tax-Xitwa
Family: Thrushes and Chats (Turdidae)
Occurence: Common winter visitor
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Stonechat is a bird the size of a robin. It is a bird of of open spaces. It likes to perch on top of bushes and wires therefore is easily seen. It is a bird of garrigue, open spaces, grassland and coastal areas. Male has a blackish head and throat.
It has a red rusty breast, pale belly and black legs. It has a hard and sharp call tsak- tsak or wheet –wheet- tak- tak. The bird eats insects, spiders, seeds and worms from the ground and occasionally catches insects from flight returning to its perch to eat them.
Status:
Very common winter visitor staying till early spring. Sometimes come in influxes in autumn.
When to See:
Late Autumn - Winter - Early Spring
Where to See:
Valleys, garrigue, fields, etc.
Photographs:
 |
Male Stonechat, Simar Nature Reserve |
 |
 |
| Male Stonechat, Simar Nature Reserve | Female Stonechat, Comino |
 |
Female Stonechat, Simar Nature Reserve |
 |
Male Stonechat, Simar Nature Reserve |
Listen to Stonechat:
Back to Bird Species List