Siberian Stonechat
Saxicola maurus
Chunky little bird of open landscapes; often sits on exposed perches. Breeding male has a black head, broad white half-collar, and rusty-red chest. Non-breeding male is patchier, with a paler head and chest. Female is predominantly streaky brown above, with a weaker, less contrasting face and chest pattern. European Stonechat is very similar, and can pose identification problems where the species overlap; look for Siberian’s larger white wing patch, duller orange on the chest, and whiter rump. Amur Stonechat is extremely similar, and in areas of overlap, or in cases of vagrancy, most individuals are inseparable based on current knowledge.
Identification
The Siberian stonechat or Asian stonechat (Saxicola maurus) is a recently validated species of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). Like the other thrush-like flycatchers, it was often placed in the Turdidae in the past. It breeds in the East Palearctic including in easternmost Europe and winters in the Old World tropics.
Taxonomy
Genus: Saxicola; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Saxicola maurus
- Authority
- (Pallas, 1773)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Saxicola
Range and habitat
The breeding range covers most of temperate Asia, from about latitude 71°N in Siberia south to the Himalaya and southwest China, and west to eastern Turkey and the Caspian Sea area. It also breeds in the far northeast of Europe, mainly in Russia but occasionally as far west as Finland.<p>The wintering range of the migratory bird is from southern Japan south to Thailand and India, and west to northeast Africa. On migration, small numbers reach as far west as western Europe, and exceptionally as far east as Alaska in North America.<p>The Siberian stonechat is insectivorous. It breeds in open rough scrubland or rough grassland with scattered shrubs, from sea level to about 4,000 m ASL or more. The birds seem to avoid even cool temperate conditions and stay up north only during the hot continental summer. In the montane regions of the Himalaya foothills of Bhutan, migrants can on occasion be seen foraging in fields and pastures more than 2,000 m ASL, but most move further down and south to winter in tropical regions.<p>Though it is not considered a distinct species by the IUCN, it is widespread and common and would not be considered a threatened species.
- Breeding range
- PAL : e Caucasus, se Turkey and w Iran, c Siberia, c Asia and the Himalayas to w, c China
- Non-breeding range
- ne Africa, s Asia
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Mongolian Lark
Melanocorypha mongolica
A large, brightly-colored lark of grassy steppe; often found near lakes and wet meadows. Brown overall with cinnamon tinges to the crown and shoulders, a down-curved white eyebrow, and a blotchy black collar that breaks at the throat. Highly distinctive in flight: black-and-white wing pattern is reminiscent of certain lapwings and plovers, and visible from a great distance. Usually seen singly.
Broad-billed Tody
Todus subulatus
A small, gemlike species of woodlands including coffee plantations and mangroves. The rather large head, long bill, and short tail create a profile shared only by the Narrow-billed Tody within its range. Both species have bright green upperparts and red on the throat and sides. Note especially the dark eyes of Broad-billed Tody, as compared to the pale eyes of Narrow-billed. Many Broad-billed Todys also have a buff-yellow wash below, which the Narrow-billed lacks. On birds lacking buff below, the Broad-billed can be identified by its all red lower bill, which is black tipped in the Narrow-billed. Further clues to identification include altitude, with this species occurring mostly below 700 meters elevation and the Narrow-billed occurring above 700 meters. The Broad-billed also tends to forage higher and on more open perches. Its most common vocalization is a rough, quick “weep” or “whip” given in series at about two per second. Compare to call of Narrow-billed Tody, which utters a buzzy “chik-zhwik” and a rapid buzzy chatter.
Peruvian Tyrannulet
Zimmerius viridiflavus
Small flycatcher found in forest canopy in the Andes from southwestern Ecuador to central Peru. It is grayish-green with yellow on the face and throat, a broken eye-ring, and yellowish fringes to the wing feathers. Almost identical in plumage to Choco Tyrannulet and Golden-faced Tyrannulet, but note their distinct geographical ranges. In areas where their ranges potentially meet, voice must be used to clinch the identification. Peruvian Tyrannulet frequently gives a ringing “su-WEET” or “su-wu-WEET.” Actively chases insects in the canopy, often cocking its tail up.
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