m (→Identification) |
(Corrected layout. Taxonomy expanded. References) |
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| − | [[Image:desert_wheatear.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Male in summer. Photo | + | [[Image:desert_wheatear.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Male in summer. Photo by {{user|Gary+Clark|Gary Clark}} <br />near Ouarzazate, [[Morocco]].]] |
| − | + | ;[[:Category:Oenanthe|Oenanthe]] deserti | |
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | 14.5-15.5 cm. | + | 14.5-15.5 cm. <br /> |
'''Male''' | '''Male''' | ||
*Buff above | *Buff above | ||
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*More buff underparts | *More buff underparts | ||
*Throat not black | *Throat not black | ||
| − | |||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Breeds across North-West [[Africa]] from north [[Mauritania]] to central [[Tunisia]], north-east [[Libya]] and | + | Breeds across North-West [[Africa]] from north [[Mauritania]] to central [[Tunisia]], north-east [[Libya]] and Cyrenaica, in northern [[Egypt]] and [[Sinai]]. In the [[Middle East]] breeds in south [[Syria]], north-west [[Iraq]] and north-east [[Jordan]] and in [[Israel]] and adjacent western [[Jordan]], and also in northern [[Saudi Arabia]]. Recently discovered breeding in southern [[Turkey]]. Outside the Western Palearctic region breeds across [[Asia]] to northern [[China]]. |
| − | + | [[Image:Desert_Wheatear.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Photo by {{user|vdrtol|vdrtol}}<br />Ijmuiden, the [[Netherlands]], September 2005]] | |
Partially or fully migratory, some populations resident. Northernmost birds tend to be more migratory and winter range extends from Sahara to the Horn of Africa, and from Arabia to north-west [[India]]. | Partially or fully migratory, some populations resident. Northernmost birds tend to be more migratory and winter range extends from Sahara to the Horn of Africa, and from Arabia to north-west [[India]]. | ||
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British records (c.77) well scattered from [[Shetland]] to [[:Category:Scilly Isles|Scilly]] but the majority on the east and south coasts, recorded in most months but peaks in March-April and September-November. An exceptional record involved a female on the [[Isle of Man]] in January 2002. | British records (c.77) well scattered from [[Shetland]] to [[:Category:Scilly Isles|Scilly]] but the majority on the east and south coasts, recorded in most months but peaks in March-April and September-November. An exceptional record involved a female on the [[Isle of Man]] in January 2002. | ||
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| − | |||
| − | |||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | ====Subspecies==== | |
| − | + | Four races are recognised but field separation is difficult<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup> | |
| + | *North African race ''homochroa'' is most distinctive with pale sandy-coloured plumage | ||
| + | *''atrogularis'' from Transcaucasia is browner with more extensive black throat | ||
| + | *Middle Eastern ''deserti'' in Levant is intermediate | ||
| + | *''oreophila'' is found from western [[China]] to Kashmir and [[Tibet]]; wintering to [[Pakistan]] and north-eastern [[Africa]] | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds on dry, sandy steppe-like heath or in semi-desert with scattered bushes, low vegetation and rocks (but shuns pure sand desert). | Breeds on dry, sandy steppe-like heath or in semi-desert with scattered bushes, low vegetation and rocks (but shuns pure sand desert). | ||
Sandy or stony plains and steppes and semi-desert with scrub, often in areas of abandoned cultivation. In winter often coastal areas. Vagrants often occur around reservoirs. | Sandy or stony plains and steppes and semi-desert with scrub, often in areas of abandoned cultivation. In winter often coastal areas. Vagrants often occur around reservoirs. | ||
| − | |||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | Short-distance migrant. Food insects. Nests in hole in ground or in rock crevice. | + | Short-distance migrant. |
| − | + | ====Diet==== | |
| + | Food insects. | ||
| + | ====Breeding==== | ||
| + | Nests in hole in ground or in rock crevice. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | Wikipedia | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug11}}#Wikipedia |
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Oenanthe+deserti}} | {{GSearch|Oenanthe+deserti}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Oenanthe]] | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Oenanthe]] | ||
Revision as of 16:37, 23 September 2011
- Oenanthe deserti
Identification
14.5-15.5 cm.
Male
- Buff above
- White below
- Buff hue to breast
- Black face, throat and shoulders
- White superciliary stripe
- Tail is nearly all black, giving appearance of only a white rump (similar Wheatears have mostly white tails with black band)
Female
- Greyer upperparts
- More buff underparts
- Throat not black
Distribution
Breeds across North-West Africa from north Mauritania to central Tunisia, north-east Libya and Cyrenaica, in northern Egypt and Sinai. In the Middle East breeds in south Syria, north-west Iraq and north-east Jordan and in Israel and adjacent western Jordan, and also in northern Saudi Arabia. Recently discovered breeding in southern Turkey. Outside the Western Palearctic region breeds across Asia to northern China.
Partially or fully migratory, some populations resident. Northernmost birds tend to be more migratory and winter range extends from Sahara to the Horn of Africa, and from Arabia to north-west India.
Fairly frequent vagrant outside normal range recorded north to Britain, France and Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia, most European Mediterranean countries (annual on Sicily) and also Spain, Portugal, Madeira and the Canary Islands.
British records (c.77) well scattered from Shetland to Scilly but the majority on the east and south coasts, recorded in most months but peaks in March-April and September-November. An exceptional record involved a female on the Isle of Man in January 2002.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Four races are recognised but field separation is difficult[1]
- North African race homochroa is most distinctive with pale sandy-coloured plumage
- atrogularis from Transcaucasia is browner with more extensive black throat
- Middle Eastern deserti in Levant is intermediate
- oreophila is found from western China to Kashmir and Tibet; wintering to Pakistan and north-eastern Africa
Habitat
Breeds on dry, sandy steppe-like heath or in semi-desert with scattered bushes, low vegetation and rocks (but shuns pure sand desert).
Sandy or stony plains and steppes and semi-desert with scrub, often in areas of abandoned cultivation. In winter often coastal areas. Vagrants often occur around reservoirs.
Behaviour
Short-distance migrant.
Diet
Food insects.
Breeding
Nests in hole in ground or in rock crevice.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Desert Wheatear. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 January 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Desert_Wheatear
