Oenanthe moesta
The Red-rumped Wheatear, *Oenanthe moesta*, is a striking passerine of arid landscapes, measuring about 16-18 cm in length with a wingspan of 26-29 cm and weighing 22-29 grams. Males boast a distinctive combination of a black facial mask, pale crown, sand-colored upperparts, and a prominent rusty-red rump and uppertail coverts that contrast sharply with an otherwise black tail. Females are similar but with duller markings and a less defined mask. This species is a member of the Muscicapidae f...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid desert and steppe environments, favoring stony plains, wadis, and sparse scrubland at low to moderate elevations, generally below 1000 meters. It thrives in open landscapes with scattered rocks, bushes, or ruins for perching and nesting.
The diet consists predominantly of insects, including beetles, ants, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, which they primarily forage for by gleaning from the ground or making short aerial pursuits. During leaner periods, especially in winter, they may supplement their diet with small fruits and seeds.
Red-rumped Wheatears are primarily diurnal, spending their days foraging actively on the ground, often perching conspicuously on rocks or low bushes. Their foraging strategy involves short darting runs to catch insects, sometimes incorporating short aerial sallies. Males establish and defend terr...
The Red-rumped Wheatear is widely distributed across arid and semi-arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East. Its breeding range extends from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya eastward through Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait, and across the Arabian Penins...
Least Concern
- The Red-rumped Wheatear gets its name from the striking rusty-red patch on its rump, a key identification feature. - Unlike many wheatears that are long-distance migrants, this species is largely resident throughout its range, making only short, local movements. - It often nests in abandoned bu...