Whinchat

Name: Whinchat

Scientific name: Saxicola rubetra

Category: Birds

Nature Stars: 60

What are nature stars?

About: A small, dumpy chat, a little smaller than the Robin. Whinchats have quite a big head and short tail. They can frequently be seen sitting on fence posts or small bushes, their call a soft clicking. Males are streaky brown above, with an orange chest and w

How to identify: Generally paler than the similar Whinchat, with pale eyestripe and a pale throat. Whinchats have pale patches at the base of the tail: Stonechat tails are all dark.

Where: A summer visitor to moorland and heathland throughout the country. Can turn up anywhere during migration.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 50
• Agility: 60
• Rarity: 60
• Cute factor: 50
• Traveller: 80

Fantastic fact: Whin is another name for gorse, which is often found in habitats that Whinchat nests in.

Photograph credit: Photo credit tbc