Whinchat
Least ConcernSaxicola rubetra
Visual Identification
Whinchat
Appearance
The Whinchat is a small, sprightly bird with a distinctive appearance. Males sport a striking combination of rufous-brown upperparts, black wings with white patches, and a bold white eyebrow. Their orange-buff breast contrasts sharply with a white belly and undertail.
Females and juveniles are less vibrant, lacking the male's bold markings. They have brown upperparts with buff streaking, a less prominent eyebrow, and a paler underside.
Females don’t always have white wing patches; if they are present, they are much smaller than males. Both sexes have black tails with white bases.
After breeding, Whinchats undergo a full moult before developing a new plumage ahead of migration. In winter plumage, males look similar to females, but their white wing patch is present all year round.
Size
Length
12cm to 14cm
Wingspan
21cm to 24cm
Weight
14g to 22g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Whinchats inhabit open areas with low vegetation and scattered bushes or trees. They are found across much of Europe and western Asia, breeding in northern regions and migrating to sub-Saharan Africa for winter.
In the UK, they are summer visitors, arriving in April and departing by October. They are more common in northern and western Britain, favouring upland areas with bracken and gorse.
Sightings are increasingly limited to the Scottish uplands, northern England and central Wales, Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Isle of Man, where they breed in grasslands, heathlands and open meadows. One exception is Salisbury Plain in southwest England, where small breeding populations exist.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Whinchats primarily feed on insects, including beetles, flies, and small moths. Spiders, worms, larvae and snails are also commonly eaten.
They often hunt from a perch, swooping down to catch prey on the ground or in mid-air. During migration, they may supplement their diet with small berries and seeds.
Behaviour
Whinchats are often seen perched upright on tall stems or fence posts, from which they make short flights to catch insects. They have a characteristic habit of flicking their wings and tail when alighting.
During the breeding season, males perform aerial displays to attract mates and defend territories.
Vocalisation
Only male Whinchats sing, and the song is a short, hurried warble interspersed with harsh notes. Their most distinctive call is a sharp 'tick' or 'tack', often repeated.
This can sometimes be heard at night, particularly in spring. It’s less common to hear Whinchats singing on their winter territories. During courtship, males may incorporate mimicry of other bird species into their songs.
As well as the male’s chirping song, a harsh alarm call that sounds like ‘tec-tec-tec’ can be heard when intruders approach the nest site.
Nesting & Breeding
Whinchat breeding season typically runs from May to July. Males establish territories and attract females with aerial displays and song flights.
Nests are built on or near the ground, often at the base of a bush or in dense vegetation. The cup-shaped nest is constructed of grass and moss, lined with finer materials. Females lay 4-7 pale blue-green eggs with fine reddish speckling.
Incubation lasts about 13 days, primarily by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 11-14 days but remain dependent on adults for another two weeks. One brood is typical, although two may be attempted.
Lifespan
The Whinchat typically lives for 2 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 6.9 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Whinchat populations are declining in parts of Europe due to agricultural intensification and habitat loss.
Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly farming practices.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Whinchats in open grasslands, meadows, and farmland with scattered bushes
- Listen for their sharp 'tick' call, often given from a prominent perch
- Observe their habit of repeatedly returning to the same perch after foraging flights
- In the UK, watch for them during spring and autumn migrations in coastal areas
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Whin chat
Family:
MuscicapidaePredators
Did You Know?
- Whinchats can travel up to 4,000 km (2,485 miles) during their annual migration.
- They have an excellent memory for locations, often returning to the same breeding territories year after year.
- The name 'Whinchat' comes from their association with gorse, also known as 'whin' in parts of Britain, and ‘chat’ in reference to the chattering call it makes.
- The scientific name for the species, Saxicola rubetra, means ‘small rock dweller’.
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References
- 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Saxicola rubetra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22710156A87906903.
View source - 4
report, 2015: EBCC
- 1
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source