noun
whinchat
WHIN-chat
Whinchat (noun) means a small songbird that feeds on insects and is found across the Old World. Example: “A whinchat perched on top of a gorse bush, scanning for insects.”
noun
1
A small songbird that feeds on insects and is found across the Old World.
"A whinchat perched on top of a gorse bush, scanning for insects."
"The pair of whinchats returned to the same hedgerow to nest."
"We heard a whinchat singing from a fence post at dawn."
How to use whinchat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA whinchat is a small insect-eating songbird often seen perched on gorse or low bushes.
When to use it
Whinchat is a plain, standard term used mainly in birdwatching and natural history.
Memory tip
Whin means gorse, so the name is a clue to where you are likely to spot the bird.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
stonechat
Common pairings
a whinchat's song
breeding whinchats
a whinchat on a fence post
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ perched on top of a gorse bush, scanning for insects.
Etymology
Whinchat is formed from whin, meaning gorse, and chat, a name used for this type of songbird.
Frequently asked questions
What is a whinchat?
A whinchat is a small songbird, scientifically named Saxicola rubetra, that feeds mainly on insects.
Why is it called a whinchat?
Its name combines whin, an old word for gorse, with chat, reflecting the bird's liking for gorse and scrubby habitat.
What does a whinchat eat?
A whinchat mainly eats insects, which it catches while perched on low bushes or fence posts.
What is the meaning of whinchat?
"whinchat" (noun) means a small songbird that feeds on insects and is found across the Old World.
