Reunion Stonechat

Saxicola tectes (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

Reunion Stonechat, Saxicola tectes, breeds on Réunion in the Indian Ocean, where it is found across the island in forests, shrublands, gardens and plantations. It is also present in clearings and open mountain bushland, and occurs in the plains around Piton de la Fournaise. The male is black above and white below, with a white supercilium that may be absent, a half-collar, a white patch on the greater coverts and an orange breast patch that varies in size. Females are browner above and more buff underneath, and often do not show the white greater covert patch.

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Muscicapidae — Chats, Old World Flycatchers

Breeding range

Indian Ocean: Réunion (w Mascarenes)