Convervation status: Amber

1 video

Latin name

Oenanthe oenanthe

Family

Chats and thrushes (Turdidae)

Overview

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.

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.

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

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Wheatear

Wheatear female

Similar birds

Whinchat