Hume's Wheatear vs Mourning Wheatear

Hume's Wheatear

Oenanthe albonigra

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Hume's wheatear is a large wheatear with a dark black head and back contrasting sharply with a pure white breast and belly. Both sexes exhibit this same coloration. While closely resembling the male of the 'picata' form of Variable wheatear, key distinctions include Hume's wheatear's larger size, a more substantial bill, and longer wings. Additionally, the black coloration on Hume's wheatear is restricted to the head and throat, while the white extends further up the back.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Jacky Judas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacky Judas · cc-by

Mourning Wheatear

Oenanthe lugens

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The mourning wheatear measures 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) in length and weighs between 19–25 g (0.67–0.88 oz). It is characterised by its striking black-and-white plumage. Both males and females share a similar appearance, featuring a white crown, nape, chest, and belly that contrast with the black head and neck, which extend to the black back. The tail is predominantly white, marked by a black stripe at the tip and a central black intrusion forming an inverted "T" pattern, a characteristic feature of wheatears.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: PsJeremy from Melbourne, Australia · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Hume's Wheatear and Mourning Wheatear.