Whinchat

What is a "whinchat"?

A whinchat is a small passerine bird found in Europe and western Asia. The male has a blue-grey head and neck, black wings with a white patch, and a rusty brown breast. The female is brown with a rusty breast and a buff stripe above the eye. These birds prefer open grassy habitats, such as meadows and pastures, and are known for their distinctive song. During the breeding season, the male whinchat is particularly active and can be seen displaying by singing from a prominent perch and fluttering his wings. The whinchat feeds on insects and spiders, which it catches by flying out from a perch and returning to the same spot.