Common name: European Stonechat
Scientific name: Saxicola rubicola
Family: Muscicapidae

Size:
Body length: 11–13 cm
Wingspan: 18–21 cm
Weight: 13–17 g

Identification:
A small, upright songbird often seen perched on low shrubs or posts. The male is striking with a black head, white neck patches, and a rich orange-red breast. The back is dark brown to blackish. Females are more subdued, with brownish tones and less contrast. Both sexes have a relatively short tail and frequently flick their wings and tail.

Habitat:
Open countryside, scrublands, grasslands, agricultural fields, and coastal areas. Prefers low vegetation with scattered perches.

Status in Lebanon:
Common winter visitor and passage migrant. Widely observed in open habitats across the country.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds mainly on insects, larvae, and small invertebrates, occasionally berries.

Behavior:
Often seen perched prominently before dropping to the ground to catch prey. Frequently flicks wings and tail. Usually solitary or in pairs. Its call is a sharp “tac-tac,” resembling the sound of two stones clicking together.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)