© Photo by Amy Lewis Whinchat Saxicola rubetra The whinchat is a summer visitor to UK heathlands, moorlands and open meadows. It looks similar to the stonechat, but is lighter in colour and has a distinctive pale eyestripe. © Photo by Richard Steel/2020VISION A dumpy chat, a little smaller than a robin, the Whinchat has quite a big head and a short tail. It can frequently be seen sitting on fence posts or small bushes, making a soft clicking call. Whinchats inhabit open meadows and wasteland, wet habitats and dry heath. They are summer and passage migrants, wintering in Africa. How to Identify Generally paler than the similar stonechat, the Whinchat has a distinctive pale eyestripe and a pale throat. Males are streaky brown above, with an orange chest, but females are paler. Whinchats have pale patches at the base of the tail, while stonechat tails are completely dark. Where to Find A summer visitor to the north and west. Can turn up anywhere during migration. How People Can Help To ensure that we keep populations of birds like the Whinchat healthy, The Wildlife Trusts are working towards a ‘Living Landscape’: a network of habitats and wildlife corridors across town and country which are good for both wildlife and people. You can support this greener vision for the future by joining your local Wildlife Trust. Did you know? ‘Whin’ is another name for gorse which is often found in the habitats that whinchats breed in. Key FactsLength: 12cmWingspan: 22cmWeight: 17gAverage lifespan: 2 years Donate Donate to help support Whinchat and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds