Scientific name: Saxicola rubetra (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Thrushes and allies
Field characters. 12.5 cm. Similar in size and structure to Common Stonechat, though slightly slimmer and with longer primary projection. Male has broad white or cream supercilium, dark brown ear-coverts, dark brown feathers on upperparts with broad orangy edges, broad white wing stripe, with small white spot on primaries, and dark tail with white sides to base. Chest orange, becoming lighter on lower belly and white on undertail coverts. Female similar to male, but especially head pattern duller and supercilium buff rather than white. Juvenile similar to female, but upperparts very regularly spotted or streaked and with spots on breast and flanks. Perches freely on dead branches, poles, stones, etc.
Voice. Call as Common Stonechat, but without 'r': 'fiu-tsak-tsak'. Song a melodious warble, varying much between individuals.
Distribution. Widespread and rather common summer visitor, but locally declining.
Habitat. Open grassland with plenty low herbs and bushes, near hedges, moorland, etc.
Food. Mainly insects, sometimes seeds. Hunts from perch and flies down when prey spotted. Also catches flying insects from perch.