Whinchat

Male distinctive, with bold white eyebrow, dark cheeks, and peachy-orange breast. Female duller but with a ghosting of the male’s pattern, especially the pale eyebrow. In flight, shows distinctive white bases to sides of tail. Found in open country on heathland, moorland, rough grassland, often with bracken. Non-breeding habitat is somewhat similar, with open grasslands, marshes, and forest clearings being favored. Perches atop bushes and on fences, dropping to the ground to feed, hopping around briefly before flying back up to a perch. Song consists of quick, jumbled phrases consisting of whistles, trills, and dry rasping rattles. Calls include short dry rattles, a quiet “dew”, sometimes doubled, and dry “tak” notes.

Non-breeding habitat is somewhat similar, with open grasslands, marshes, and forest clearings being favored. Perches atop bushes and on fences, dropping to the ground to feed, hopping around briefly before flying back up to a perch.

Whinchats are insectivorous, thereby their diet largely consists of insects. Types of insects eaten include larvae, spiders, caterpillars, beetles, worms, snails and flies. In the autumn and winter months they also feed on berries and some seeds