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The books are listed in order of publication date with the most recent at the top.

Chats

The chats were formerly classified as members of the thrush family Turdidae and are therefore included in some books about thrushes. However they have recently been reclassified as member of the old-world flycatcher family Mucicapidae

Stonechat
Saxicola torquatus

Whinchat
Saxicola rubetra

Chats worldwide

White-browed Bush Chat
Saxicola macrorhynchus

White-throated Bush Chat
Saxicola insignis

Canary Islands Stonechat
Saxicola dacotiae

European Stonechat
Saxicola rubicola

Siberian Stonechat
Saxicola maurus

Stejneger's Stonechat
Saxicola stejnegeri

African Stonechat
Saxicola torquatus

Madagascan Stonechat
Saxicola sibilla

Reunion Stonechat
Saxicola tectes

White-tailed Stonechat
Saxicola leucurus

Pied Bush Chat
Saxicola caprata

Jerdon's Bush Chat
Saxicola jerdoni

Grey Bush Chat
Saxicola ferreus

White-bellied Bush Chat
Saxicola gutturalis

Living on the Edge of Extinction in Europe: Proceedings of the First European Whinchat Symposium

Editor: Hans-Valentin Bestian and Jürgen Feulner

2015

Bilingual: German / English

"60 years ago the Whinchat was a common sight throughout Europe. Today the species has become a rarity in many countries. Even in various core breeding areas in Eastern Europe there has been a drastic decline recently. On May 28th/29th 2015 specialists were discussing their study results from 18 countries about biology, distribution patterns and conservation of species. It has been confi rmed that intense and industrialized farming is one of the key factors for the rarity of Whinchats. Some projects, however, have been able to conserve and partly increase large local Whinchat populations – a glimmer of hope for the survival of this precious species.

41 contributions from 58 authors & co-authors deal with the situation of the Whinchat in 18 countries."

Robins and Chats

Peter Clement and Chris Rose

2015

"This authoritative handbook, part of the Helm Identification Guides series, looks in detail at the world's 170 species of robins and chats. This large family of small passerines was formerly considered to be part of the thrush family (Turdidae), but is now usually treated as a separate family, Muscicapidae, together with the Old World flycatchers. The vast majority of species are Eurasian or African, with only a handful of species straying into the New World or Australasia. The Australian Robins, although superficially similar, have long been regarded as a separate family. Robins and chats are a diverse family comprising both highly colourful and visible species, such as the robin-chats of Africa, as well as some of the most skulking and elusive birds, such as the shortwings of Asia. Many chats, such as the well-known Nightingale, are renowned songsters, and a good number are highly sought-after by world listers for their extreme rarity or simply because they are hard to see. This book discusses the identification and habits of these birds on a species-by-species basis, bringing together the very latest research with accurate range maps, more than 600 stunning colour photographs that illustrate age and racial plumage differences, and 64 superb colour plates by the internationally renowned artist, Chris Rose."

Stonechats

Ewan Urquhart

Yale University Press

2003

"This book is the first to provide a comprehensive treatment of the fourteen members of the genus Saxicola - the stonechats and bushchats. The group is distributed throughout the Old World and includes some familiar and widespread species as well as island endemics and extreme rarities. These charismatic birds are eye-catching in both appearance and behavior but are often hard to identify. The text details all aspects of identification, including plumages, voice, behavior, seasonal movements, and distribution. There are also discussions about issues of speciation and racial variation within the genus, based on new DNA research to assess taxonomic relationships within the group, as well as explanations of conservation issues affecting the group. The book presents an impressive collection of photographs and line drawings, accompanied by an exceptionally beautiful set of thirteen color plates that show each species in a variety of plumages."

Stonechats and Bushchats

Ewan Urquhart

Helm Identification Guides

Christopher Helm

2002

A comprehensive guide to the genus Saxicola. The book is primarily an identification guide, using colour plates and photographs to illustrate the various races and plumages. Distribution maps are available for each species. The text also covers the biology, habitat and range of each species. DNA data is presented to address some of the taxonomic issues affecting the species within the genus.

Thrushes

Peter Clement

Additional illustrations: Clive Byers and Jan Wilczur

Princeton University Press

2001

"This is the first book in nearly one hundred years that is solely devoted to thrushes, one of the most widespread and well-known families of birds in the world. It treats comprehensively the world's 162 species of true thrushes and covers some of the best-known garden species as well as some of the rarest and most elusive of all birds. It also includes some of the most musically accomplished singers of any bird family. The book contains a wealth of detailed information on identification and distribution, with a full description of each species, including reference to all recognized races. Emphasis is given to vocalizations-often the key to identifying thrush species. Habitat and range for all species, together with information on movements and breeding behavior, are also covered. For the first time, all species in the family of Turdidae thrushes are described and illustrated in full color. These superb illustrations are complemented by line drawings depicting particular aspects of shape or plumage. The 60 color plates comprise approximately 540 images, covering all but one, long-extinct species. The depictions differentiate adults, immatures, and most of the distinctive races. The plates are accompanied by color maps showing the breeding and wintering range for each species. The detailed and accurate text and spectacular color illustrations will make this book indispensable to all ornithologists and birders. This will be, undoubtedly, the standard work on thrushes for many years to come."

Thrushes

Peter Clement

Christopher Helm

2000

Covers the 162 species in the family Turdidae. Includes 60 colour plates which show all species with immature birds and distinct races. Additional line drawings highlight aspects of shape or plumage. Colour distribution maps show the breeding and wintering range for each species. The text includes information about identification, geographical variation, voice, status and distribution, movements, habitat, behavior, and measurements for all species.