Common Stonechat
Encyclopedia
Common Stonechat is the name used for the Saxicola
species Saxicola torquatus when this is treated in its broad sense.
It is however now more widely considered to be a superspecies
consisting of several related but distinct species, which are outwardly fairly similar but genetically distinct and replacing each other geographically without significant hybridisation:
Three other species, not previously included within the broad view of Common Stonechat, have also been shown to be members of the superspecies:
Species status possible, but not yet verified:
The broad interpretation of Saxicola torquatus is still accepted by a few authorities, notably the British Ornithologists' Union
, though this is currently under review.
Saxicola
The genus Saxicola , the stonechats or chats, is a genus of 15 species of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World...
species Saxicola torquatus when this is treated in its broad sense.
It is however now more widely considered to be a superspecies
Superspecies
A superspecies is a group of at least two more or less distinctive species with approximately parapatric distributions. Not all species complexes, whether cryptices or ring species are superspecies, and vice versa, but many are...
consisting of several related but distinct species, which are outwardly fairly similar but genetically distinct and replacing each other geographically without significant hybridisation:
- African StonechatAfrican StonechatThe African Stonechat is a species of the Old World flycatcher family , inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family , to which the chats are convergent...
Saxicola torquatus in the strict sense - European StonechatEuropean StonechatThe European Stonechat is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a subspecies of the Common Stonechat. Long considered a member of the thrush family Turdidae, genetic evidence has placed it and its relatives in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.It is 11.5–13 cm long and...
Saxicola rubicola - Siberian StonechatSiberian StonechatThe Siberian Stonechat or Asian Stonechat is a recently-validated species of the Old World flycatcher family . Like the other thrush-like flycatchers, it was often placed in the Turdidae in the past...
Saxicola maurus - Stejneger's StonechatStejneger's StonechatStejneger's Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri is a species of stonechat native to eastern Asia. It breeds in central and eastern Siberia, Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and eastern Mongolia, and migrates south to southern China and Indochina in winter....
Saxicola stejnegeri - Madagascar StonechatMadagascar StonechatThe Madagascar Stonechat Saxicola sibilla is a species of stonechat, endemic to Madagascar. It is a small bird, closely similar to the African Stonechat in both plumage and behaviour, but distinguished from it by the more extensive black on the throat and minimal orange-red on the upper breast of...
Saxicola sibilla
Three other species, not previously included within the broad view of Common Stonechat, have also been shown to be members of the superspecies:
- Fuerteventura ChatFuerteventura ChatThe Canary Islands Stonechat , also known as the Fuerteventura Stonechat or Fuerteventura Chat, and formerly known as the Canary Islands Chat due to its once widespread distribution on the Canary Islands...
Saxicola dacotiae - Reunion StonechatReunion StonechatThe Reunion Stonechat is a species of stonechat, endemic to the island of Réunion. This small passerine bird is common in clearings and open mountain bushlands there. Overall, the male is black above and white below, but also with a white supercilium , half-collar, and greater covert patch, and a...
Saxicola tectes - White-tailed StonechatWhite-tailed StonechatThe White-tailed Stonechat is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family.It is found in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 27 July 2007....
Saxicola leucurus
Species status possible, but not yet verified:
- Ethiopian Stonechat Saxicola (torquatus) albofasciatus
The broad interpretation of Saxicola torquatus is still accepted by a few authorities, notably the British Ornithologists' Union
British Ornithologists' Union
The British Ornithologists' Union aims to encourage the study of birds in Britain, Europe and elsewhere, in order to understand their biology and to aid their conservation....
, though this is currently under review.