Saxicola

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{{Taxobox | color = pink | name = Stonechats | image = Stonechats.JPG | image_caption = European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola | regnum = Animalia | phylum = Chordata | classis = Aves | ordo = Passeriformes | familia = Muscicapidae | genus = Saxicola | genus_authority = Bechstein, 1802 | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }}

The genus Saxicola, the stonechats or chats, is a genus of 14 species of small passerine birds restricted to the Old World. They are insectivores of open scrubland and grassland with scattered small shrubs.

Genetic evidence presented in the recent monograph by Urquhart & Bowley 2002 strongly supports the splitting of the Common Stonechat (Saxicola torquata sensu lato) into three species, African Stonechat (S. torquata), European Stonechat (S. rubicola) and Asian Stonechat (S. maura). This treatment is likely to become standard in the future.

Species list, following Urquhart & Bowley 2002:

Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
Stoliczka's Bushchat or White-browed Bushchat, Saxicola macrorhyncha
Hodgson's Bushchat or White-throated Bushchat, Saxicola insignis
Fuerteventura Chat or Canary Island Stonechat, Saxicola dacotiae
European Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola (previously S. torquata rubicola)
Siberian Stonechat or Asian Stonechat, Saxicola maura (previously S. torquata maura)
African Stonechat, Saxicola torquata
Réunion Stonechat, Saxicola tectes
White-tailed Stonechat, Saxicola leucura
Pied Bushchat, Saxicola caprata
Jerdon's Bushchat, Saxicola jerdoni
Grey Bushchat, Saxicola ferrea
White-bellied Bushchat or Timor Bushchat, Saxicola gutturalis
Buff-streaked Bushchat, Saxicola bifasciata