About the Mourning Wheatear
The mourning wheatear is a bird, one of 14 species of wheatear found in northern Africa and the Middle East. It is a small passerine in a group formerly classed as members of the thrush family Turdidae, but now more generally considered to be part of the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
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.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in March · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Finsch's WheatearOenanthe finschiiA medium-sized elegant wheatear with long wings and long legs.
Red-tailed WheatearOenanthe chrysopygiaIt is 14.5 cm long with a wingspan of 26–27 cm and a weight of about 20-27 g.
Hume's WheatearOenanthe albonigraHume's wheatear is a large wheatear with a dark black head and back contrasting sharply with a pure white breast and belly.
Learn the Mourning Wheatear for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.