Black Wheatear

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The Black Wheatear, Oenanthe leucura, is a wheatear, a small passerine bird 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.

Related Topics:
Wheatear - Passerine - Bird - Thrush - Old World flycatcher

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This large wheatear breeds on cliffs and rocky slopes in western north Africa and Iberia. It is largely resident and nests in crevices in rocks laying 3-6 eggs.

Related Topics:
Africa - Iberia

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The male of this species is all black except a white rump and mainly white tail. The female is similar, but dark brown rather than black.

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The similar White-crowned Wheatear, Oenanthe leucopyga, also breeds in the African part of the Black Wheatear's range, but the Black Wheatear has a black inverted "T" on its white tail, whereas White-crowned has only a black centre to its tail. The Black Wheatear never has a white crown, but young White-crowned Wheatears also lack this feature.

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The food of this wheatear is mainly insects. It has a loud thrush-like song.

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