Oenanthe melanura
The Blackstart (Oenanthe melanura) is a small, striking passerine bird belonging to the chat family Muscicapidae, distinguished by its almost entirely black tail. Males exhibit a sleek, dark slate-grey to black plumage, contrasting sharply with their namesake black tail, while females are typically duller, often a brownish-grey. Measuring approximately 13-15 cm in length and weighing between 14-23 grams with a wingspan of about 23-27 cm, this slender bird's most distinctive field mark is its ...
Found primarily in arid and semi-arid regions, inhabiting rocky wadis, desolate desert plains, stony slopes, and cliff faces. Prefers areas with sparse vegetation and ample rock cover, typically found from sea level up to around 2,000 meters.
Mainly insectivorous, consuming ants, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, and spiders, supplemented occasionally with seeds or berries. Forages primarily by gleaning from the ground and rocks, or through short sallies to catch flying insects.
Blackstarts are diurnal and highly territorial birds, often perching conspicuously on prominent rocks or shrubs to survey their domain. They forage primarily by gleaning insects from the ground or rocks, but also engage in flycatching from an exposed perch. Males defend their territories vocifero...
The Blackstart is a resident species distributed across North Africa, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. Its breeding and wintering ranges largely overlap, as it is non-migratory throughout most of its distribution. From Morocco eastward through Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, its ra...
Least Concern
- Its scientific name, Oenanthe melanura, literally means 'dark-tailed wheatear,' perfectly describing its most distinctive feature. - Blackstarts are masters of camouflage, their dark plumage blending seamlessly with the shadows and crevices of their rocky desert habitats. - Despite the harsh de...