Hume's Wheatear

Oenanthe albonigra

Least ConcernRareInvertebratesRockyCup nestSmall · 25 g

About the Hume's Wheatear

Hume's wheatear is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. This black-and-white bird is found in southern Afghanistan, Iran, extreme northeast Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

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.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular rangeRare visitor

Recorded as a rare visitor in India, Iraq.

When to see it

Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Hume's Wheatear for real

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