African Stonechat

Afrikaans name: Gewone Bontrokkie

Male African Stonechat

Photo © Steven Herbert

Saxicola torquatus

The African Stonechat is a widespread species that can be found over most of sub-Saharan Africa. It can be found over most of South Africa except for the north-western regions of the country.

Males are more brightly coloured than females.

African Stonechats are normally seen sitting on a low perch keeping an eye out for food. They will then drop to the ground to catch food.

They mainly eat insects but will also take small reptiles and seeds.

Female African Stonechat

Photo © Steven Herbert

They make their nest on the ground and can lay up to 5 eggs.

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 229

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 69

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 69

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 208

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 168

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 79

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 170

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 93

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 193

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 58

Common Birds of the North Coast - Author: Bing Comrie - Published: 2005 - Page: 60

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 35

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 158

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 185

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 228

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 412

LBJs - Author: Newman, Johnson, Solomon, Masterson - Published: 1998 - Page: 63

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 324

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 324

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 306

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 394

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 405

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 522

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 517

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 308

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 328

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 126

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 120

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 36

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 240

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 57

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 53

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 160

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 61

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds