Where does a stonechat nest?

How can you tell a stonechat from a whinchat?

The male Common Stonechat has a striking black face with white patches on the sides of the neck. The male Whinchat has a head pattern of browns and black, and a bold white stripe above the eye. If the light is good and you see a head completely black, it is a Common Stonechat. If not, it is a Whinchat.

Is a stonechat a flycatcher?

The African stonechat (Saxicola torquatus) is a species of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family (Turdidae), to which the chats are convergent.

What is an African stonechat?

The African stonechat or common stonechat ( Saxicola torquatus) is a species of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family ( Turdidae ), to which the chats are convergent.

Is the Madagascar stonechat a distinct species?

The Madagascar stonechat is also considered distinct. In addition, the well-marked populations of the Horn of Africa uplands may well qualify for an additional species.

How can you tell if a whinchat is male or female?

The male Whinchat has a head pattern of browns and black, and a bold white stripe above the eye. If the light is good and you see a head completely black, it is a Common Stonechat.

How big is a stonechat flycatcher?

One of the smallest European flycatchers, the Stonechat is about 12.5 cm long, has a 18-21 cm wingspan, and weighs 11-17 g.

What is a Malagasy paradise-flycatcher?

The Malagasy paradise-flycatcher is a regional endemic, found in both Madagascar and the Comoros. The long-billed bernieria, formerly thought to be a greenbul, is now considered a Malagasy warbler.

How many bird species are in Madagascar?

Of the 310 bird species recorded on Madagascar, 109 are found nowhere else on earth, and a handful of others are shared only with the neighbouring Comoro Islands, 2 have been declared extinct, 36 are globally threatened, 7 species are introduced by humans.

What is the difference between African stonechat and Madagascar stonechat?

The Madagascar stonechat has generally been considered a subspecies of African stonechat (as Saxicola torquatus sibilla ), but recent genetic evidence has shown that it is distinct, more closely related to Reunion stonechat than it is to African stonechat, on which basis it is now accepted as a distinct species. Three subspecies are recognised.

What is the smallest European flycatcher?

It was previously considered a subspecies of the African Stonechat ( Saxicola torquata ). One of the smallest European flycatchers, the Stonechat is about 12.5 cm long, has a 18-21 cm wingspan, and weighs 11-17 g.

Where are stonechats found in Africa?

Common stonechats or African stonechats are found in sub-Saharan Africa, as far north as Senegal and Ethiopia. A population of this species is also found in southwest Arabia, Madagascar, and Grande Comore. This huge distribution has led to the formation of different species of the genus.

What is the biodiversity of the Madagascan Islands?

It has a vast range of biodiversity including several species of birds. Some of the Madagascan biodiversity is threatened by extinction. The Madagascan Fish Eagle and the Madagascan Porchard are the island nation’s two most threatened endemic birds.

What are some interesting facts about Madagascar?

As a result of the island’s long isolation from neighboring continents, Madagascar is home to an abundance of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. Approximately 90 percent of all plant and animal species found in Madagascar are endemic, including the lemurs (a type of strepsirrhine primate), the carnivorous fossa and many birds.

How many species of birds are there in Madagascar?

Madagascar’s uniqueness is legendary and this is well reflected in its birds. Of the 280 species known from the island, an incredible 100 plus are entirely endemic to Madagascar and a further 20 or so are shared only with neighbouring South West Indian Ocean islands.

What is the difference between African stonechat and Saxicola torquata?

Its white eyebrows are the most prominent external difference with Saxicola torquata, the African Stonechat, whose eyebrow color is black. It has for some time been included in the “Common Stonechat” (Saxicola torquata), but it is well distinct; it is an insular derivative of the African Stonechat.

What is the difference between a flycatcher and a dipper?

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

What is a Mediterranean flycatcher?

The Mediterranean flycatcher ( Muscicapa tyrrhenica) is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds on the Balearic Islands, Corsica and Sardinia, and is migratory, wintering in Africa.

What are 5 interesting facts about Madagascar?

Interesting Facts About Madagascar. Republic of Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, approximately (587,000 2 km). The only larger islands are Borneo, Greenland and New Guinea. Almost all of the plant and animal species found on the Madagascar Island are unique to this island.

Why is Madagascar’s wildlife so special?

Due to the extreme isolation of the region from the African continent for many years, Madagascar’s wildlife got the chance of breathing which helped it in preserving those species which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

What kind of animals live in Madagascar?

Approximately 90% of all animal and plant species found in Madagascar are endemic, including here the lemurs which is a type of prosimian primate, many birds and the carnivorous fossa . This ecology diversity has led some ecologists to refer to Madagascar as the “eighth continent”.

Why is Madagascar’s wildlife so isolated?

The composition of Madagascar’s wildlife reflects the fact that the island has been isolated for about 88 million years. The prehistoric breakup of the supercontinent Gondwana separated the Madagascar-Antarctica-India landmass from the Africa-South America landmass around 135 million years ago.

Is the Madagascar ibis an endangered species?

The endemic, forest-dwelling Madagascar ibis is heavily hunted, despite being legally protected. The Madagascar fish eagle is critically endangered, with a breeding population of fewer than 100 pairs.

What animals are endangered in Madagascar?

The Madagascar fish eagle is critically endangered, with a breeding population of fewer than 100 pairs. The subdesert mesite is restricted to a coastal strip of dry, spiny forest in southwestern Madagascar. The crab-plover is a common visitor to the island’s west coast.

Why is Madagascar a biodiversity hotspot?

The global importance of the hotspot is particularly high for mammals, plants and reptiles. Madagascar is known for its rich native flora, with around 90 percent of vascular plants found only on the island.

What does a stonechat look like in the UK?

Unlike its close relative, the whinchat, the perky stonechat chooses to stay in Britain all year round. It is an active and restless bird with an upright stance and a habit of constantly flicking its wings and tail. In spring, the male has a black head with white patches, and an orange breast in comparison to the more washed-out female.

What is the difference between Balearic flycatcher and Spotted Fly catcher?

Crown streaking: The crown is often noticeably marked with prominent white streaks (ground colour), as opposed to the brownish/greyish streaks of Spotted Flycatcher (see fig 7). General paler/greyer appearance: Balearic birds appear quite cold and clean-looking. Spotted Flycatcher appears warmer/browner in general.

What does a chebec flycatcher look like?

Grayish olive above with a dusky breast and a bold white eyering. Sings incessantly throughout the summer, tossing its head back with each “chebec” note. Small and compact flycatcher with a round head.