The desert wheatear 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). It is a migratory insectivorous species, 14.5 to 15 cm in length. Both western and eastern forms of the desert wheatear are rare vagrants to western Europe. The western desert wheatear breeds in the Sahara and the northern Arabian Peninsula. The eastern race is found in the semi-deserts of Central Asia and in winter in Pakistan and northeast Africa.
Region
North Africa, Middle East, and Central Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds widely across the Sahara and northern Arabian Peninsula, and in semi-deserts of Central Asia. In winter it moves to northeast Africa, Pakistan, and adjoining regions. Prefers open stony deserts, gravel plains, dunes with sparse shrubs, and dry wadis. It often uses rocky outcrops and scattered vegetation for perches and nesting.
Altitude Range
0–3000 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The desert wheatear is a small Old World flycatcher formerly placed with the thrushes. It is well adapted to harsh deserts, often perching on rocks or low shrubs and frequently flicking its tail. Western and eastern forms occasionally appear as rare vagrants in western Europe. Males show an extensive black face and throat that helps separate them from similar wheatears.
Female desert wheatear
Temperament
alert and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flights
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs on territory during breeding, nesting in ground cavities, crevices, or burrows lined with plant fibers. Outside the breeding season it can occur loosely with other small passerines around food-rich patches. Courtship involves conspicuous perching and tail-flicking displays.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a soft, varied warble with imitations, delivered from a perch or short song-flights. Calls include a sharp chak and a thin tsee, often given while tail-flicking.
Plumage
Male is pale sandy above with a white rump, largely black face and throat, black wings, and a mostly black tail; underparts are buff-white. Female is sandier brown with a less contrasting face and throat, and a similar white rump with dark tail. Both sexes have fine, neat plumage suited to blending with desert substrates.
Diet
Feeds mainly on insects such as beetles, ants, termites, flies, and caterpillars; also takes spiders and other small invertebrates. It hunts from low perches, making quick sallies to the ground or short chases after flying prey. Occasional seeds or berries may be taken when invertebrates are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Open, sparsely vegetated desert and semi-desert with scattered stones and shrubs, as well as dry riverbeds and dune margins. Often forages along the edges of tracks, wadis, or camel/rodent burrows where prey concentrates.
