The Stonechat is a passerine with a wide distribution range. A new study, based on DNA sequencing techniques, suggested to divide the species into four separate species: Stonechat Saxicola torquata, Eastern Stonechat Saxicola maura, African Stonechat Saxicola axillaris and Reunion Stonechat Saxicola tectes. The Eastern Stonechat can be further separated into four subspecies.

Breeds in west Palearctic in middle and lower middle latitudes, in temperate, steppe, and Mediterranean zones, except for disjunct range of E race maura, which extends into boreal zone of north-west of the region. Absent from high-altitude mountainous regions in north of range, and from high forest, wetlands, and open expanses which are bare or have only sparse or low vegetation. Not affected by lack of standing or running water. Within these limitations, inhabits wide variety of dry plains and hillsides, often submarginal for agriculture, characterized by scattered bushes, shrubs, stones, walls, or fences, used as look-outs or song-posts commanding lower heathland, grassland, or bare patches.It breeds in open rough gorse, tussocks or heather.

Breeding starts in March-June in North-East Europe, mid April in South and Central Europe, mid May in former USSR. Nest site is on or close to ground in dense vegetation, at base of bush, in tussock, or low down in thick scrub. Nest is a loose, unwoven cup of dry grass stems and leaves, lined with hair and feathers sometimes with wool. 4-6 eggs, incubated by female for 13-14 days.

Insectivorous.Small and medium-sized insects and other invertebrates. Locates terrestrial prey from elevated perch, then flies, glides, or hops to ground, picking prey up on landing or while standing on ground.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,000,000-10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 4,000,000-9,200,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Migrant to temperate Asia, towards Japan, Thailand and India. Rare vagrant W Europe and even Alaska

article number 1 Title
Slow pace of life in tropical sedentary birds: a common-garden experiment on four stonechat populations from different latitudes
Author(s): Martin Wikelski
Abstract: It has been hypothesized that organisms living at different latitudes or in different environments adjust their metabolic activity to the prevailing conditions. However, do differences in energy turno..[more]..
Source: Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B (2003) 270, 2383-2388
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article number 1 Title
Gonadal status upon spring arrival in long-distance and short-distance migrating stonechats ( Saxicola torquata)
Author(s): Michael Raess, Eberhard Gwinner
Abstract: Long-distance migration is often associated with relatively short breeding seasons and a start of reproductive activities shortly after arrival. The full activation of the reproductive system from the..[more]..
Source: J Ornithol (2005) 146: 325-331
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