Eastern Black-eared Wheatear
Oenanthe melanoleuca
东黑耳䳭
Introduction
A small migratory passerine bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), formerly classified in the thrush family (Turdidae). It breeds across the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Europe to the Caspian Sea and Iran, migrating to winter quarters in Sudan. Inhabits open habitats with scattered trees including savanna, rocky slopes, and barren pastures. A distinctive feature is the male's polymorphic throat, which can be either black or white.
Description
The breeding male has a white or nearly white forehead, crown, and mantle with a buff tinge, blacker wings than the northern wheatear, and white underparts tinged with buff. A black mask extends from the ear coverts to the bill. The back, upper tail coverts, and most of the tail are white. In autumn and winter, the head, mantle, and underparts become distinctly buff. The tail feathers, except for the central pair, are much whiter than in the northern wheatear. The female is gray-brown with the characteristic white lower back and shows less marked seasonal plumage changes.
Identification
The male can be distinguished from the western black-eared wheatear by its whiter, less buff-tinted upperparts, creating a more distinctly black-and-white appearance. The black mask reaches just above the base of the bill. Black-throated individuals show more extensive black on the throat and face with a more abrupt termination. Females are overall colder-colored and duller than western counterparts. The whiter tail compared to the northern wheatear is a key distinguishing feature.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds from the eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Europe eastwards to the Caspian Sea and Iran. Winters in Sudan. Occupies open habitats with scattered trees such as savanna, rocky slopes, and barren pastures.
Behavior & Ecology
An insectivorous species. Males display polymorphism in throat coloration—some individuals have black throats while others have white throats. Inhabits open landscapes with scattered perching sites. The species undertakes long-distance migration between breeding and wintering grounds.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Oenanthe
- eBird Code
- bkewhe2
Distribution
breeds southeastern Europe (eastward from southern Italy and Croatia), Türkiye, and the Levant eastward to southwestern Kazakhstan and western Iran; winters in the central and eastern Sahel, eastward to the southern Red Sea
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.