White-crowned Wheatear

Overview

The white-crowned wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga, is a small passerine bird that is now more generally considered an Old World flycatcher rather than a thrush. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Large wheatear measuring 17–18 cm in length.
• Adults of both sexes are black, featuring a white rump and a mainly white tail with only a black centre, distinguishing it from the black wheatear which has a black inverted T on its white tail.
• Full adults display a white crown, a marking not shown by young birds.
• Possesses a loud song that is more varied than most relatives and often includes mimicry.

Habitat

This species breeds in stony deserts ranging from the Sahara and Arabia across to Iraq. It is largely resident but has occasionally occurred as a rare vagrant to western Europe, including Great Britain. It nests in crevices in rocks or walls.

Diet

The white-crowned wheatear mainly eats insects.

Did you know?

The common name "wheatear" is not derived from "wheat" or "ear," but is a 16th-century linguistic corruption of "white" and "arse," referring to the prominent white rump found in many species.