Stonechats breed in heathland and coastal dunes, preferring small shrubs, bramble, open gorse and heather. The male stonechat performs a mating dance to attract the female. She perches on a twig and he jumps over her up to 20 times while singing to her. Should this athletic display be successful, the female will consequently lay a clutch of 4-6 eggs, smooth, glossy pale blue to greenish-blue, and variably marked reddish. She will incubate these for 14 days, and can raise 2 broods a year. The nest consists of a loose cup of dry stems and leaves lined with hair, feathers and wool, hidden near to the ground.