Common stonechat is the name used for the Saxicola species Saxicola torquatus when this is treated in its broad sense.
It is, however, now more widely considered to be a superspecies consisting of several related but distinct species,[1] which are outwardly fairly similar but genetically distinct and replacing each other geographically without significant hybridisation:[2][3][4]
Three other species, not previously included within the broad view of common stonechat, have also been shown to be members of the superspecies:[2][5]
Species status possible,[2] but not yet verified:
Not all of the above are currently recognised as full species by all of the relevant taxonomical authorities, for example the British Ornithologists' Union,[6] currently include stejnegeri as a subspecies of Saxicola maurus.[7]