Whinchat
Saxicola rubetra
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Whinchat is easily confused with Stonechat but is a migrant rather than a resident. Similar perching behaviour but with a broad, bold white supercilium (eyebrow stripe) and white patch at the base of the tail — not the white rump of Stonechat. Males in breeding plumage have orange breast and dark face; females are browner. It's declined severely due to the loss of upland grassland on its breeding grounds. Autumn passage birds pass through the dune scrub edge.
At a Glance
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Habitat | Dune scrub edge · Bracken · Rough grassland · Heathland |
| Diet | Insects and invertebrates — flycatches from prominent perch |
| UK population | Around 46,000 pairs; red-listed due to 55% decline since 1995 |
| Sefton Coast | Occasional passage migrant; seen more often in autumn than spring |
| Conservation | UK Red List |
Where to See It
Dune scrub edges and bracken areas at Ainsdale and Formby. Perches on top of vegetation like Stonechat.
Identification
Like Stonechat but has broad white supercilium (key feature). Males: dark face, orange breast, white wing patches. No black head of Stonechat. White patches at base of tail (not whole rump). Perches on top of vegetation.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Check scrub edges at Ainsdale in August–September. The bold white eyebrow is the key feature distinguishing Whinchat from Stonechat.
Conservation Status
UK Red List
This species is on the UK Red List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating serious concern about its population decline or unfavourable conservation status. Monitoring this species on the Sefton Coast contributes to national population tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell Whinchat from Stonechat?
The broad, creamy-white supercilium (eyebrow stripe) is the most reliable feature — Stonechat has a shorter, less prominent supercilium. Whinchat also lacks the Stonechat's black head on males. The Whinchat has white patches at the side of the tail base (not the whole white rump of Wheatear). Habitat can help too — Whinchat prefers bracken and rough grassland, while Stonechat favours heather and gorse.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.