Hooded Wheatear
Oenanthe monacha
The Hooded Wheatear (Oenanthe monacha) is a rare chats, old world flycatchers, and alli found in 15 countries, weighing about 22 g. The hooded wheatear is a wheatear, a small insectivorous passerine that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae.










About the Hooded Wheatear
The hooded wheatear is a wheatear, a small insectivorous passerine that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but is now more generally considered to be an Old World flycatcher, Muscicapidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This wheatear has a body length of 15.5–17 cm (6.1–6.7 in), a wingspan of 29–30 cm (11–12 in), and weighs 18–20 grams (0.63–0.71 oz). In summer the male is a white and black bird. The white crown and belly contrast with the black face, back and throat. The tail and rump are white with black central tail feathers. The female is brown, becoming somewhat paler below. The tail pattern is similar to the male's, but the ground colour is buff rather than white.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Lebanon.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in March. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Hooded Wheatear?
- This wheatear has a body length of 15.5–17 cm (6.1–6.7 in), a wingspan of 29–30 cm (11–12 in), and weighs 18–20 grams (0.63–0.71 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Hooded Wheatear?
- The Hooded Wheatear is a small sized bird weighing about 22 g.
- Where can you see a Hooded Wheatear?
- The Hooded Wheatear occurs in 15 countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Oman.
- What birds look similar to a Hooded Wheatear?
- The Hooded Wheatear is most easily confused with the Cyprus Wheatear, the Abyssinian Wheatear and the Hume's Wheatear.
- Is the Hooded Wheatear endangered?
- The Hooded Wheatear is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Hooded Wheatear for real
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