African Stonechat
Saxicola torquatus
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- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusSaxicola (Stonechats and Bushchats)
- SpeciesSaxicola torquatus (African Stonechat)
About the African Stonechat
The African stonechat or common stonechat (Saxicola torquatus) is a species of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa and adjacent regions. Like the other chats, it was long assigned to the thrush family (Turdidae), to which the chats are convergent. Its scientific name refer to its appearance and habitat and means "collared rock-dweller": Saxicola from Latin saxum ("rock") + incola ("one who dwells in a place"), torquatus, Latin for "collared".
In the past S. torquatus usually referred to the entire "common stonechat" superspecies and some sources still keep it that way, but all available evidence strongly supports full species status for the European (S. rubicola) and the Siberian stonechat (S. maurus) of temperate Eurasia, in addition to the island-endemics Fuerteventura chat (S. dacotiae) and Réunion stonechat (S. tectes) which were never unequivocally accepted into S. torquatus. The Madagascar stonechat (S. t. sibilla) has sometimes been considered distinct. In addition, the well-marked populations of the Horn of Africa uplands may well qualify for an additional species.
In 1760, the French zoologist Mathurin... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of African Stonechat in Addo Elephant National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Addo Elephant National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a African Stonechat in Addo Elephant National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a African Stonechat sighting in Addo Elephant National Park, based on 133 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see African Stonechat in Addo Elephant National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for African Stonechat in Addo Elephant National Park in our monthly data.