Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Wheatear is a small, striking bird with a distinctive white rump and tail with a black T-shaped marking. Males in breeding plumage have blue-grey upperparts, black wings, and a black bandit-style mask, contrasting with pale orange to buff-white underparts and white foreheads.
Females are more subdued, with brown-buff plumage. In autumn, both sexes become duller, with males resembling females, although the males’ wings remain black rather than dark brown. Juveniles have scaly plumage, appearing spotted brown above and buff below.
Size
Length
14.5cm to 16cm
Wingspan
26cm to 32cm
Weight
17g to 30g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Wheatears inhabit open, rocky areas, including tundra, grasslands, and coastal regions. They breed across northern Europe, Asia, and North America, including Alaska and northern Canada.
During migration, they can be found in a variety of open habitats. Wintering grounds span Africa, southern Asia, and northeastern Africa. In the UK, they are summer visitors and passage migrants.
The highest concentrations of wheatears in the UK are found on open uplands throughout much of Scotland and Wales and also in northern, western and south-western England.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 2,800 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic, Arctic
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Wheatear. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Wheatear demonstrates remarkable agility, frequently bobbing and flicking its tail. Its ground-dwelling nature and ability to swiftly run and pause whilst foraging indicate high manoeuvrability. The bird's capacity to navigate varied terrains from sea level to 5,000 metres further supports its agile nature.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
As a small bird weighing between 17-30 grams, the Wheatear's strength is modest. However, it possesses sufficient strength to undertake long-distance migrations and to construct nests in rock crevices, suggesting a respectable level of strength for its size.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
The Wheatear exhibits exceptional adaptability. It thrives in diverse habitats from coastal regions to high-altitude areas up to 2,800 metres. Its ability to survive in various climates, from temperate to Arctic, and its long-distance migration capabilities demonstrate remarkable adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Wheatears are not particularly aggressive birds. They are typically solitary or found in pairs during breeding season, becoming more gregarious during migration. Their behaviour doesn't indicate high levels of aggression, though they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Wheatear's endurance is truly impressive. It undertakes one of the longest migrations for its size, with some individuals travelling up to 30,000 km (18,640 miles) round trip. This extraordinary feat, coupled with its ability to return to the exact same nesting site year after year, showcases exceptional endurance.
Diet
Wheatears primarily feed on insects, including beetles, flies, grasshoppers, spiders, and caterpillars. They forage on the ground, often running and pausing, a 'hop and peck' tactic, to scan for prey. Occasionally, they'll also eat snails.
During migration and autumn, berries are also eaten, especially those growing on low shrubbery, including blackberries, crowberries and bilberries. Rowan, juniper and elderberry are also taken, as well as a variety of seeds.
Behaviour
Wheatears are active, ground-dwelling birds often seen perched on rocks or low vegetation. They frequently bob and flick their tails, especially when alarmed.
These birds are typically solitary or found in pairs during the breeding season, becoming more gregarious during migration.
Vocalisation
The Wheatear's song is a varied, scratchy warble interspersed with mimicry of other birds. Their most common call is a sharp, stony 'chack' or 'check'. During courtship, males produce a softer 'weet-chack-chack' sound.
Male wheatears have a number of distinct songs and subsongs that vary according to purpose and situation, including a territorial song, a conversational song and a perched song.
Nesting & Breeding
Wheatears form monogamous pairs each breeding season, typically from May to July. Males perform aerial displays and sing to attract mates.
Nests are built in rock crevices, burrows, or under stones, lined with grass, moss, and hair. Females lay 4-7 pale blue eggs, sometimes with red-brown speckling.
Incubation lasts 13-14 days, solely by the female, although males remain nearby. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 14-16 days but remain dependent on adults for another two weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Wheatear populations are declining in parts of Europe due to habitat loss and agricultural intensification.
Climate change may affect their Arctic breeding grounds. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding and stopover habitats.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive white rump in flight
- Watch for their characteristic tail-bobbing behaviour
- Search open, rocky areas or short-grass habitats
- Listen for their sharp 'chack' call
- In the UK, observe coastal areas during spring and autumn migrations
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Northern Wheatear
Family:
MuscicapidaeAverage Lifespan
1 to 2 years
Max Lifespan
10.1 years [4]
Predators
Did You Know?
- Wheatears undertake one of the longest migrations for their size, with some traveling up to 30,000 km (18,640 miles) round trip.
- Their name comes from Old English for 'white' (wheat) and 'arse' (ear), referring to their white rump.
- They can return to the exact same nesting site year after year, despite their long-distance migration.
FAQs
How many Wheatears are there in the UK?
An estimated 280,000 pairs of wheatears arrive in the UK each spring ahead of the breeding season. By October, breeding is complete, and all of these visiting birds have departed for their African wintering territories.
References
- 1 2
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Oenanthe oenanthe. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T103773898A132192232.
View source - 3
report, 2015: EBCC
- 4
website, 2010: Fransson et al., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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