Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra)
Unmistakable in most of Europe where no other nuthatch species occur. Only bird climbing head-first downwards trees. Blue-grey upperparts, white underparts and solid black eye stripe. Large head, long bill and short tail. Climbs in jerky, but nimble motion. Scandinavian birds with mostly white underparts (except for vent), continental birds with more rufous belly.
Sound:Very varied voice. Ranging from very high pitched whistles and melodic resonant calls, to chattering and nasal mocking sounds. Song a simple series of loud notes. Characteristic warning call a hard "check" or "chwit", often in rapid series, like a pebble bouncing on hollow ice.
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCSmall member of the thrush family, with erect posture and large head. Distinct white or buff supercilium in all plumages. Base of primaries shiny white in adults, especially adult male. Coarsely spotted buff rump. Base of tail with white triangular patches. Juveniles with white speckles on upperparts and whitish throat. Lacks the white base of primaries, but supercilium bold.
Sound:Contact call resembles many of it relatives. A short, soft "peeu", followed by a hard "check" (like hitting two rocks together). The "peeu"-sound is depper and more resonant than similar sounds by Wheatear and Stonechat. Song variable with lots of mimicry. The short phrases starts with dry, rattling or sneering trills, followed by clear whistling notes and expert mimicry. More varied, both in tone and tempo, than both Stonechat and Wheatear.
Song:
Distribution:
Xeno-canto: map
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CC