The pied wheatear is a wheatear, a small insectivorous 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. This migratory central Asiatic wheatear occurs from the extreme southeast of Europe to China, and has been found wintering in India and northeastern Africa. It is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.
Region
Central Asia and Southeast Europe
Typical Environment
Breeds on open, dry terrain such as steppe, semi-desert, stony slopes, and sparsely vegetated hillsides, often near rocks, walls, or ruins. It favors areas with scattered shrubs or boulders providing cavities for nesting. During migration and winter it uses farmland edges, fallow fields, scrubby plains, and coastal or inland semi-arid habitats. Wintering occurs chiefly in the Indian subcontinent, Arabian Peninsula margins, and northeastern Africa.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Continental
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Males in breeding plumage are strikingly black-and-white with a white crown and rump, while females are more brown and subtly marked. It nests in holes, crevices, or old burrows, and shows the classic wheatear tail pattern with a white base and black terminal band. This species breeds from southeastern Europe across central Asia and winters mainly in South Asia and northeastern Africa. It is an uncommon but regular vagrant to western Europe.
Female in Bulgaria
Temperament
active and alert, moderately territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, undulating flights
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs on breeding grounds, where it is monogamous and defends a territory. Nests in holes in the ground, crevices, walls, or abandoned burrows, lined with plant fibers and hair. Post-breeding, small loose groups may form during migration and at wintering sites. Both parents feed the young.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Song is a brisk, scratchy warble interspersed with rattles and thin whistles, delivered from a perch or brief song flights. Calls include a sharp chak or tack and a softer, buzzing contact note.
Plumage
Male breeding plumage is sharply contrasting black and white; females and non-breeding birds are brownish with paler underparts and a white rump. Both sexes show the wheatear’s white rump and a black terminal tail band forming a T-pattern.
Diet
Primarily takes ground-dwelling insects such as ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods. It forages by perching on low vantage points, then hopping or sallying to pounce on prey. Occasionally snatches flying insects in short aerial sallies and may take small berries when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Open ground with sparse vegetation, stones, or low perches that provide clear views for spotting prey. Often feeds along paths, field margins, rocky slopes, and semi-desert flats.
