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PLATE 99: WHEATEARS I
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina WV, PM, mb
L: 16. Resembles large female Northern Wheatear, usually more robust in build, with longer
legs and apparently also bill, slightly shorter tail and more upright stance. Best separated by
isolated black alula in paler, more uniform sandy wings, contrasting less with upperparts,
broader pale feather-edges to wings than Northern Wheatear (some first-autumn Northerns can
show pronounced isolated dark alula); broader black terminal tail-band with shorter stalk to
‘T’. Supercilium usually broadest and whiter in front of eye (in Northern narrower and buffier
in front of eye). In low flight shows half-translucent, dark-tipped primaries; underwing-coverts
and axillaries buffish-white (dusky-grey in female Desert Wheatear; dark grey, broadly tipped
whitish in Northern Wheatear). Runs mostly; wags tail strongly and frequently. Voice Song, often in
display flight, longer and more variable than Northern Wheatear with less scratchy notes and often
ending with series of whistles; mimics well. Alarm call tjack-tjack, sometimes followed by slightly
descending hiu or diu. Habitat Barren or grassy areas, steppes; on passage/winter also cultivation.
Note Passage and winter hatched; absent from north in winter.Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe PM
L: 15. Relatively short-tailed wheatear with blackish terminal tail-band of even width. Male readily
told by ash-grey crown and back, white supercilium, thin black eye-stripe and black ear-coverts.
Female is greyer-brown than similar Eastern Black-eared and Pied Wheatears; first-autumn birds
best told by shorter tail (wing-tips closer to tail-tip) and tail-band of even width. In Eastern Black-
eared and Pied tail longer, wings half or less of tail, which has more white and narrower black tail-
band with black extending upwards on outer tail feathers. See also Isabelline Wheatear. Restless;
bobs body, wags tail and flicks wings. Voice Song short with fast chacking call-notes mixed with
high-pitched whistles in irregular rhythm. Alarm a hard tack-tack or hiid, tack-tack. Habitat Uplands
with rocky or stony slopes, often with bushes; on passage to sea level in any open area, including
cultivations. Note Passage hatched.Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti WV, PM
L: 14.5. Easily told in flight from all other wheatears in region by almost wholly black tail (no
white at sides). Male recalls black-throated form of Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, but black
throat joins to narrower black of wings (often with whitish scapulars contrasting); in flight shows
whitish wing-panel and white rump tinged buffy towards top. Sandy-brown or grey-buff female
often lacks black throat; may recall female Eastern Black-eared but always told by rump and tail
pattern. Often confiding. Voice Short piping song plaintive, with downward inflection, occasionally
includes rattling notes; calls include a soft whistle. Habitat Shrubby desert, barren stony areas.
Note Passage and winter hatched.Finsch’s Wheatear Oenanthe finschii V
L: 15. Heavier and stockier than Pied and Eastern Black-eared Wheatears; male told from former by
narrow creamy-buff (milky tea) or, when worn in spring, silvery-white stripe down mantle and
back to join white rump; from latter by larger black ‘bib’ broadly connected with black wings
(beware Black-eared with head sunk between shoulders); also from both by terminal tail-band
of even width (no black extension up sides) and pale greyish flight feathers below, appearing
translucent above. Crown as mantle, but centre flecked dusky when worn. Some females have
variable blackish on throat (sometimes lower throat only); pale-throated birds told from female
Eastern Black-eared/Pied by sandy brown-grey upperparts, contrasting with darker, browner
wings, creamy breast lacking orange-buff tone of female Eastern Black-eared, paler flight feathers
below and tail pattern. Flight feathers and primary coverts often finely pale-tipped (in both sexes
into second calendar year). Female often shyer than male. Ground-dwelling, perching infrequently
in trees. Frequently bows low, cocking tail, repeatedly spreading and lowering it slowly. Has
descending zig-zag songflight. Voice Song short and rich with scratchy notes often mixed with clear
whistles, phrases intermittent, including musical ctsi-tsi-tseeoo. Alarm call tack; also che-che-che.
Habitat Dry rocky, stony uplands and foothills, sparsely vegetated semi-deserts. Note Passage and
winter hatched; rare in Arabia; vagrant Oman.