White-crowned Wheatear

The White-crowned Wheatear, known scientifically as Oenanthe leucopyga, is a small passerine bird that once was thought to belong to the thrush family Turdidae. It has since been reclassified as part of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. This bird is notable for its size, measuring a substantial 17–18 cm in length.

Identification Tips

Adults of both sexes are predominantly black with a striking white rump and a mainly white tail. The most distinguishing feature is the white crown adorning the heads of full adults, a trait absent in younger birds. When observing the tail, look for the black center, which differentiates it from similar species.

Habitat

The White-crowned Wheatear is well-adapted to life in stony deserts, where it makes its home.

Distribution

This species has a broad range, breeding across the Sahara and Arabian deserts and extending to Iraq. While largely resident within this range, it has been known to appear as a rare vagrant in western Europe, with sightings as far as Great Britain.

Behaviour

The White-crowned Wheatear is a ground-nesting bird, choosing to lay its clutch of 3-5 eggs in the safety of rock crevices or walls.

Song & Calls

The vocal repertoire of this wheatear is impressively varied and loud, often incorporating elements of mimicry that set it apart from its relatives.

Similar Species

The Black Wheatear, Oenanthe leucura, shares part of its range with the White-crowned Wheatear. However, the Black Wheatear can be distinguished by the black inverted T on its white tail and it never sports a white crown.

Diet and Feeding

Insects comprise the mainstay of the White-crowned Wheatear's diet.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List has classified the White-crowned Wheatear as Least Concern, indicating a stable population without significant threats at present.