Saxicola

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Saxicola
Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) male, Beaulieu, Hampshire.jpg
Male European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
Calls made by a European stonechat, recorded on Old Dean Common, Surrey, England
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Muscicapidae
Genus: Saxicola
Bechstein, 1802
Type species
Motacilla rubicola
Linnaeus, 1766
Species

See text

Female pied bushchat (Saxicola caprata bicolor), India Pied bushchat (Saxicola caprata bicolor) female.jpg
Female pied bushchat (Saxicola caprata bicolor), India

Saxicola (Latin: saxum, rock + incola, dwelling in [1] ), the stonechats or chats, is a genus of 15 species of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World. They are insectivores occurring in open scrubland and grassland with scattered small shrubs.

Contents

Taxonomy

The genus was introduced by the German naturalist Johann Matthäus Bechstein in 1802. [2] The type species was subsequently designated as the European stonechat. [3] The name Saxicola is from Latin saxum, saxi "stone" and -cola "dweller". [4]

The genus was formerly included in the thrush family Turdidae, but as with several other related genera, has now been shown to be correctly classified in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, in which it is most closely related to the genera Oenanthe (wheatears) and Campicoloides . [5] [6]

Genetic and behavioural evidence has also resulted in several new species being accepted in the genus in recent years, most notably the splitting of the former broad "species" common stonechat Saxicola torquatus into five species, a change now widely though not yet universally accepted. With addition of mtDNA cytochrome b sequence and nDNA fingerprinting data, it was confirmed that not only the Fuerteventura and Réunion stonechats are distinct species, but that in addition, the African, Madagascar, European, Siberian and Amur stonechats are also all separate species. [7] [8] [9] [10] Due to confusion of subspecies allocation, the name S. torquatus was briefly used for the European species, with the African stonechat being incorrectly listed as S. axillaris. [8]

Owing to misunderstandings of Latin syntax, several species have in the past been widely but incorrectly cited with feminine name endings ("S. torquata, S. maura, S. leucura, S. ferrea", etc.). [11]

Species

The following 15 species are currently accepted in Saxicola: [12]

ImageCommon NameScientific NameDistribution
Jerdon's Bush Chat, Inle Lake, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar (33940816073).jpg Jerdon's bush chat Saxicola jerdoni Eastern Himalaya and Myanmar
Grey-Bushchat.jpg Grey bush chat Saxicola ferreus Himalayas, southern China and Indochina
Saxicola rubetra am.jpg Whinchat Saxicola rubretawestern Palearctic ; winters to sub-Saharan Africa
Stolickza's Bushchat at Kutch Photo Dhaval Vargiya (2).jpg White-browed bush chat Saxicola macrorhynchusnorthwestern India
White-bellied Bush Chat (Saxicola gutturalis) (8074117562).jpg White-bellied bush chat Saxicola gutturalis Timor
Pied bush chat (Saxicola caprata)male from nilgiris DSC 1123.jpg Pied bush chat Saxicola capratasouth-central Asia and Indomalaya
Adult at Jim Corbett National Park, India.jpg White-throated bush chat Saxicola insignismountains of western Mongolia ;
winters in the Terai–Duar savanna and grasslands
White-tailed Stonechat (Saxicola leucurus) (32895496601).jpg White-tailed stonechat Saxicola leucurus Indus valley, Himalayan foothills, northeast South Asia and Myanmar
Stejneger's Stonechat.jpg Amur stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri Manchuria, Korea and Japan ; winters to southern China and Indochina
Saxicola torquatus, male, Johannesburg 3.jpg African stonechat Saxicola torquatusAfrotropics
Madagascan Stonechat, Ranomafana, Madagascar S4E8002.jpg Madagascar stonechat Saxicola sibillaMadagascar
Saxicola tectes male, RVB, 2.jpg Réunion stonechat Saxicola tectes Réunion
Siberian stonechat (Saxicola maurus) male non-breeding.jpg Siberian stonechat Saxicola maurusSiberia and eastern Alpide belt  ; winters to southern Asia
Malestonechatseaham.JPG European stonechat Saxicola rubicolaEurope and North Africa ; winters to Middle East
Saxicola dacotiae 183123563.jpg Canary Islands stonechat Saxicola dacotiae Fuerteventura

Formerly included in the genus Saxicola, but now treated in a separate genus:

Fossil record

Related Research Articles

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The Siberian rubythroat is a small passerine bird first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1776. It was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family, Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher of the family Muscicapidae. The Siberian rubythroat and similar small European species are often called chats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wheatear</span> Genus of birds

The wheatears are passerine birds of the genus Oenanthe. They were formerly considered to be members of the thrush family, Turdidae, but are now more commonly placed in the flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This is an Old World group, but the northern wheatear has established a foothold in eastern Canada and Greenland and in western Canada and Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whinchat</span> Species of bird

The whinchat is a small migratory passerine bird breeding in Europe and western Asia and wintering in central Africa. At one time considered to be in the thrush family, Turdidae, it is now placed in the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. Both sexes have a strong supercilium, brownish upper parts mottled darker, a pale throat and breast, a pale buff to whitish belly, and a blackish tail with white bases to the outer tail feathers, but in the breeding season, the male has an orange-buff throat and breast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European stonechat</span> Species of bird

The 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 found across Europe, as far east as Ukraine and the South Caucasus, and in parts of North Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canary Islands stonechat</span> Species of bird

The 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, is a sedentary resident bird found only on the island of Fuerteventura where it is known as the Caldereta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siberian stonechat</span> Species of bird

The Siberian stonechat or Asian stonechat is a recently validated species of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae). Like the other thrush-like flycatchers, it was often placed in the Turdidae in the past. It breeds in the East Palearctic including in easternmost Europe and winters in the Old World tropics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old World flycatcher</span> Family of birds

The Old World flycatchers are a large family, the Muscicapidae, of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World, with the exception of several vagrants and two species, bluethroat and northern wheatear, found also in North America. These are mainly small arboreal insectivores, many of which, as the name implies, take their prey on the wing. The family is relatively large and includes 357 species, which are divided into 54 genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock thrush</span> Genus of birds

The rock thrushes, Monticola, are a genus of chats, medium-sized mostly insectivorous or omnivorous songbirds. All are Old World birds, and most are associated with mountainous regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siberian blue robin</span> Species of bird

The Siberian blue robin is a small passerine bird that was formerly classified as a member of the thrush family, Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to belong to the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. It and similar small European species are often called chats. Recent research suggests that this species and some other East Asian members of Luscinia should be classified in a new genus, together with the Japanese and Ryūkyū robins. The genus name Larvivora comes from the Neo-Latin larva meaning caterpillar and -vorus meaning eating, and cyane is Latin for "dark-blue".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pied bush chat</span> Species of bird

The pied bush chat is a small passerine bird found ranging from West Asia and Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. About sixteen subspecies are recognized through its wide range with many island forms. It is a familiar bird of countryside and open scrub or grassland where it is found perched at the top of short thorn trees or other shrubs, looking out for insect prey. They pick up insects mainly from the ground, and were, like other chats, placed in the thrush family Turdidae, but are now considered as Old World flycatchers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common stonechat</span>

Common stonechat is the name used for the Saxicola species Saxicola torquatus when this is treated in its broad sense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African stonechat</span> Species of bird

The African stonechat or common stonechat 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, torquatus, Latin for "collared".

<i>Luscinia</i> Genus of birds

Luscinia is a genus of smallish passerine birds, containing the nightingales and relatives. Formerly classed as members of the thrush family Turdidae, they are now considered to be Old World flycatchers (Muscicapidae) of the chat subfamily (Saxicolinae). The chats are a lineage of Old World flycatchers that has evolved convergently to thrushes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Réunion stonechat</span> Species of bird

The Réunion stonechat is a species of stonechat, endemic to the French Indian Ocean island of Réunion. It is found across the island in forests, shrublands and artificial environments such as gardens and plantations. This small passerine bird is common in clearings and open mountain bushlands there up to 2600 metres above sea level, including in the plains around Piton de la Fournaise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moorland chat</span> Species of bird

The moorland chat, also known as the alpine chat or hill chat, is a species of songbird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is endemic to north-east Africa where it is common in its habitat. It lives at high altitudes on moors and grassland, usually above 3,400 m (11,100 ft), but can live as low as 2,100 m (6,900 ft). It has a short tail and long legs. It is bold and will approach people.

<i>Muscicapa</i> Genus of birds

Muscicapa is a genus of passerine birds belonging to the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, and therein to the typical flycatchers of subfamily Muscicapinae. They are widespread across Europe, Africa and Asia with most species occurring in forest and woodland habitats. Several species are migratory, moving south from Europe and northern Asia for the winter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herero chat</span> Species of bird

The Herero chat is a species of passerine bird belonging to the family Muscicapidae, the chats and Old World flycatchers. It is the only species in the monospecific genus Namibornis and it has a restricted range in southwestern Africa.

<i>Phoenicurus</i> Genus of birds

Phoenicurus is a genus of passerine birds in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae, native to Europe, Asia and Africa. They are named redstarts from their orange-red tails. They are small insectivores, the males mostly brightly coloured in various combinations of red, blue, white, and black, the females light brown with a red tail. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2010 led to a reorganization of the Old World flycatchers family in which the two species in Rhyacornis and the single species in Chaimarrornis were merged into Phoenicurus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amur stonechat</span> Species of bird

The Amur stonechat or Stejneger's stonechat 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascar stonechat</span> Species of bird

The Madagascar stonechat 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 the males.

References

  1. Jobling, James A. (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London, United Kingdom: Christopher Helm. p.  349. ISBN   978-1-4081-2501-4..
  2. Bechstein, Johann Matthäus (1802). Ornithologisches Taschenbuch von und für Deutschland, oder, Kurze Beschreibung aller Vögel Deutschlands für Liebhaber dieses Theils der Naturgeschichte (in German). Leipzig: Carl Friedrich Enoch Richter. p. 216.
  3. Dickinson, E.C.; Christidis, L., eds. (2014). The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Vol. 2: Passerines (4th ed.). Eastbourne, UK: Aves Press. p. 608. ISBN   978-0-9568611-2-2.
  4. Jobling, J.A. (2018). del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J.; Christie, D.A.; de Juana, E. (eds.). "Key to Scientific Names in Ornithology". Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
  5. 1 2 del Hoyo, J; et al., eds. (2005). Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol. 10. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. pp.  786. ISBN   84-87334-72-5.
  6. Sangster, G.; Alström, P.; Forsmark, E.; Olsson, U. (2010). "Multi-locus phylogenetic analysis of Old World chats and flycatchers reveals extensive paraphyly at family, subfamily and genus level (Aves: Muscicapidae)" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 57 (1): 380–392. Bibcode:2010MolPE..57..380S. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.07.008. PMID   20656044.
  7. Urquhart, E., & Bowley, A. (2002). Stonechats. A Guide to the Genus Saxicola. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN   0-7136-6024-4.
  8. 1 2 Wink, M.; Sauer-Gürth, H.; Gwinner, E. (2002). "Evolutionary relationships of stonechats and related species inferred from mitochondrial-DNA sequences and genomic fingerprinting" (PDF). British Birds. 95: 349–355. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2018-05-10.
  9. Woog, F.; Wink, M.; Rastegar-Pouyani, E.; Gonzalez, J.; Helm, B. (2008). "Distinct taxonomic position of the Madagascar stonechat (Saxicola torquatus sibilla) revealed by nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA". Journal of Ornithology. 149 (3): 423–430. Bibcode:2008JOrni.149..423W. doi: 10.1007/s10336-008-0290-1 .
  10. Zink, R.M.; Pavlova, A.; Drovetski, S. V.; Wink, M.; Rohwer, S. (2009). "Taxonomic status and evolutionary history of the Saxicola torquata complex". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52 (3): 769–773. Bibcode:2009MolPE..52..769Z. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.05.016. PMID   19464380.
  11. David, N.; Gosselin, M. (2002). "The grammatical gender of avian genera". Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. 122: 257–282.
  12. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David (eds.). "Chats, Old World flycatchers". World Bird List Version 6.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  13. "Malurus splendens (Splendid Fairywren) - Avibase". avibase.bsc-eoc.org. Retrieved 2017-11-26.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Kessler, E. (2013). "Neogene songbirds (Aves, Passeriformes) from Hungary". Hantkeniana. 8: 37–149.