The red-tailed wheatear, also known as the rusty-tailed wheatear, Persian wheatear or Afghan wheatear, is a small passerine bird breeding in mountainous areas of south-west and central Asia. It belongs to the wheatear genus Oenanthe which was formerly placed in the thrush family Turdidae but is now in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The red-tailed wheatear used to be considered a subspecies of the Kurdish wheatear but is now often regarded as a separate species.
Region
Southwest and Central Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds on rocky, sparsely vegetated mountain slopes, cliffs, and scree with scattered shrubs. In the non-breeding season it descends to stony deserts, wadis, dry riverbeds, and coastal plains. It often uses boulder-strewn valleys and human-made stone structures for perching and foraging. Wintering birds are regular in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of the northwestern Indian subcontinent.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the rusty-tailed or Persian wheatear, it was long treated as a subspecies of the Kurdish wheatear but is now widely recognized as a separate species. Its warm rufous tail with a bold black terminal band is a key field mark. On breeding grounds it favors stark, rocky slopes where it perches conspicuously and pumps its tail.
From Rajasthan
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with low, direct flights
Social Behavior
Breeds in isolated pairs, nesting in rock crevices, walls, or cavities among stones. Both parents feed the young and defend a small territory. Males sing from prominent perches and perform short display flights.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A soft, scratchy warble interspersed with thin whistles, delivered from rocks or low perches. Calls include a sharp tek or tack and a dry rattle when alarmed.
Plumage
Plain grey-brown upperparts with paler, buffy underparts and a slightly warmer tone on the flanks. Rump and tail are rufous with a distinct black terminal band; upper tail coverts show a rusty hue. Subtle pale supercilium and darker lores; overall a soft, unpatterned look compared to other wheatears.
Diet
Primarily ground-dwelling insects such as beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and caterpillars; also takes spiders and other small arthropods. Occasionally consumes small berries in late season. Hunts by perch-and-pounce, sallying to the ground to seize prey and returning to a vantage point.
Preferred Environment
Open, rocky terrain with scattered shrubs, boulder fields, and scree slopes. In winter, frequents stony deserts, wadis, and dry riverbeds, often near low vegetation or human-made stonework.
