Fuerteventura Chat

The Fuerteventura Chat is a small passerine bird that was classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher in the Muscicapidae. It, and similar small European species, are often called chats. It was included in the Common Stonechat , but it is quite distinct; it is likely to be an insular derivative of ancestral European Stonechats that colonised the islands some 1-2 mya, during the Early Pleistocene .

The Fuerteventura Chat is classified as Endangered (EN), considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Fuerteventura Chat is a small passerine bird that was classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher in the Muscicapidae. It, and similar small European species, are often called chats. More

The Fuerteventura Chat (Saxicola dacotiae) is a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae. It, and similar small European species, are often called chats. Distribution / Range It is resident and restricted to the island of Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands, where it is restricted to ravines and slopes with sparse, shrubby vegetation (Illera et al., 2006). More

Fuerteventura Chat (or Canary Islands Stonechat) was discovered in 1888 by E. G. Meade-Waldo, and is most frequently encountered in hilly areas, most notably in steep valleys and dry or nearly dry wadies (locally known as barrancos). It is said to be found locally along the coast in the south, edges of some lava fields and around the areas of permanent water, however, I suspect that the need for rocky slopes with fairly well developed vegetation or semi-desert scrub is the main requirement. More

The shy Fuerteventura Chat with its tell-tale white collar can also be found in hilly areas where it hides among the shrub land. In Pajara itself, look out for Hoopoe and Garden Warblers. Three other main species to watch out for are the Houbara Bustard, Cream Coloured Courser and Black Bellied Sandgoose which can be found in the Costa Calma region. More

* FUERTEVENTURA CHAT (Saxicola dacotiae) On 23-02 1 male at Los Molinos. Common at the Fimapaire Valley. Up to 10 exx.seen. Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) On 28-03 1 ex.near Ajuy. Spectacled Warbler (Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis) A total of 12 exx.observed. Photographed 1 pair at the Fimapaire Valley. Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) Common at Vega de Rio Palmas and the barranco near Ajuy. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) On 28-02 1 singing ex.Pajara. More

Palmas produced several pairs of Fuerteventura Chats and a few Plain Swifts as well as lots of Spectacled Warblers. We also saw a few Trumpeter Finches, Linnets and Corn Buntings. Birds Seen Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) 4 at Los Gorriones. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) 2 at Costa Calma. Spoonbill (Platelea leucorodia) 3 at Los Gorriones). More

a singing male Fuerteventura Chat with a female in close attendance. These two birds were the only ones of their kind, that I came across during the whole fortnight. On the plus side I saw a good many coveys of Barbary Partridge and a lot of Southern Grey Shrikes. The beach at Sotovento was particularly productive with good numbers of Sanderling and Kentish Plover. More