Conservation status: Amber
The wheatear is a small mainly ground-dwelling bird. It hops or runs on the ground. It is blue-grey above with black wings and white below with an orange flush to the breast. It has a black cheek. In flight it shows a white rump and a black 'T' shape on its tail. It is a summer visitor and passage migrant. Birds breed mainly in western and northern Britain and western Ireland, although smaller numbers do breed in southern and eastern England. It winters in central Africa.
Latin name
Oenanthe oenanthe
Family
Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)
Where to see them
In the breeding season, best looked for on upland suitable habitat in northern and western Britain. May be seen on passage at coastal migration watchpoints and inland.
When to see them
March to October
What they eat
Insects and larvae.
Population
| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* | | - | 56,000 pairs | - | - |