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[[Image:23133mt_chat_MeganPerkins_DaanViljoen_Namibia.jpg|thumb|450px|left|Male Mountain Wheatear - black-crowned morph<br>Photo by Megan Perkins<br>Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, Namibia]] | [[Image:23133mt_chat_MeganPerkins_DaanViljoen_Namibia.jpg|thumb|450px|left|Male Mountain Wheatear - black-crowned morph<br>Photo by Megan Perkins<br>Daan Viljoen Game Reserve, Namibia]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Maps]] |
Revision as of 03:06, 5 January 2010
- Oenanthe monticola
Identification
Length 18-20 cm, mass about 35 g.
Adult male: There are several colour morphs; body plumage may be pale grey or black, and the crown may be white, grey or black. The wings are very dark brown or black with a white shoulder patch which varies in size (sometimes all black). The tail pattern is distinctive, with a white rump and outer tail feathers. The legs and pointed bill are black.
Adult female: Dark brown, with a white rump and outer tail.
Distribution
Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, western Swaziland extreme southern Botswana and western Angola.
Taxonomy
Formerly classed as a member of the Thrush family (Turdidae), but is now more generally considered to be an Old-World Flycatcher (Family Muscicapidae).
There are four subspecies.
Habitat
Mountains and rocky areas.
Behaviour
Food: Mainly insects, but also other invertebrates, seeds and berries.
Breeding: Nests on the ground amongst rocks; 2-4 white eggs are laid June to March.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
