stonechat

[ stohn-chat ]

noun

1. any of several small Old World birds, especially of the genus Saxicola, as S. torquata.

stonechat

/ ˈstəʊnˌtʃæt /

noun

1. an Old World songbird, Saxicola torquata, having a black plumage with a reddish-brown breast: subfamily Turdinae (thrushes)

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonechat¹

1775–85; stone + chat, so called from its warning cry which sounds like a clash of stones

Word History and Origins

Origin of stonechat¹

C18: so called from its cry, which sounds like clattering pebbles

Example Sentences

Only once have I seen a stonechat in the neighbourhood of this garden.

From Project Gutenberg

That delightful, restless little bird, the stonechat, is a near relation of the wheatear.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Blyth also informs me that the sexes of the stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, are distinguishable at a very early age.

From Project Gutenberg

But the rock stood still, and a stonechat went and perched on it.

From Project Gutenberg

It is difficult to put oneself in the place of the Stonechat or of the Whinchat.

From Project Gutenberg