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Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Alternate name(s): "Common Wheatear", "Wheatear" German name(s): "Steinschmätzer" Size: 14.5-16 cm; wing span 26-32 cm Body mass: 17-33 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.18-0.20

Europe: Family Group 19 Family Group 19 Table European Robin Common Redstart Black Redstart Bluethroat Whinchat European Stonechat Common Rock Thrush Blue Rock Thrush Common Nightingale Northern Wheatear Isabelline Wheatear Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Black Wheatear White-throated Dipper Thumbnails page Family group table Index of bird names European birds home page

Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Northern Wheatears are medium-sized wheatears, which are roughly robin-sized birds. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Male Northern Wheatears have a prominent facial mask, with black eye-stripes contrasting with fine white stripes (including the frons) above and below. The upperparts (crown, nape of the neck, mantle and back) are grey, while chin throat and chest have a buffish tint and the rest of the front, from the belly downwards, is white. Even in autumn, when their worn plumage (most prominently the formerly grey upperparts and brownish edge-lining on the previously black wing feathers, but also the ear coverts) turns more brownish, they still have a well-defined facial mask. Females are generally more brownish than males and have less colour contrast. They also lack the facial mask of males. They do not have a white frons, but just a short white supercilium. The ear coverts are streaked brownish and the upperparts that are grey in males are brownish-grey. The wing feathers are dark-brown, with lighter edge lining. The underparts are similar to males'. The uppertail of both sexes is black, with a white outer base connecting to the white rump. The irises of both sexes are dark. The straight, slender bill and the legs and feet are dark-grey to black.

Taxonomy, classification See Northern Wheatear at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Northern Wheatear is available HERE . There are 4 extant races of the Northern Wheatear, all of which are strongly migratory (Northern Wheatears breeding on either side of the North American continent are the birds with the longest migration of all passerine species). Nominate race "oenanthe" breeds in northern and central Europe and eastward from there to eastern Siberia and, via the Bering Sea and Aleutian islands on the north-western North America (mainly Alaska, but also far-western Canada). The breeding range of race "leucorhoa" extends from Iceland via near-coastal Greenland to near-coastal north-eastern Canada. Race "libanotica" breeds in an area ranging from (mostly mountainous) southern Europe via the Balkans, Asia Minor and the Middle East into central Asia, as far eastward as western China. Race "seebohmi" breeds in north-western Africa. Irrespective of where they breed, ALL Northern Wheatears spend the northern winters in sub-Saharan and eastern Africa, from the African West coast to the East coast (except the Horn of Africa) and from the tropic of Cancer in the North to about the equator (except the southern [near-]coastal areas of West Africa) in the South. In the East African highlands they travel as far southward as northern Zimbabwe. In Europe two races of Northern Wheatears breed, "oenanthe" and "libanotica". Race "oenanthe" breeds basically anywhere to the North of the latitude of the Alps (except large parts of France), while race "libanotica" occurs southward of the Alps (except in lowland area such as the northern Italian flatlands and the Hungarian Puszta. Most individuals of the North-Atlantic race "leucorhoa" migrate to/from Africa via western Europe, where they can be found mostly in autumn. Northern Wheatears have a preference for breeding in stony country (both mountainous and coastal) and moorland and grassland. Race "libanotica" has a clear preference for mountainous regions.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "oenanthe" J. Pires reports finding Northern Wheatears, race "oenanthe", occasionally during the autumn months in the area from the Tejo estuary to Mora, Evora, Portugal. G. Normand spotted Northern Wheatears, race "oenanthe", in the Pyrenees, France, in June 2019. H. Dahlem-Senger found a single Northern Wheatear, race "oenanthe", on Langeoog, Ostfriesland, Germany, in September 2024. I. Chisnall reports finding a pair of Northern Wheatears, race "oenanthe", at Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester, England, in April 2021. This is a known breeding site for the species and the female was observed collecting nest material. Race "leucorhoa" J. Pires reports finding Northern Wheatears, race "leucorhoa", occasionally during the autumn months in various locations in southern and central Portugal. Race "libanotica" A. Sarok spotted Northern Wheatears, race "libanotica", in Vojvodina, Serbia, in the timeframe 2010-2024. D. Wilczynska reports finding Northern Wheatears, race "libanotica", on the southern slopes of the Caucasus in Georgia in June 2018.

Photos

Race "oenanthe"

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Male Northern Wheatears, left, have black eye-stripes and in general a more conspicuous face mask and higher colour contrast than females.

Lateral/near-dorsal view of a pair of Northern Wheatears, male on the left (photo courtesy of I. Chisnall)
[Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester, England, April 2021]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear - note the dark facial mask (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Albufeira da Barragem do Divor, Igrejinha, Arraiolos, Portugal, September 2019]

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear - note the dark facial mask (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2018]

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]

Near-lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2022]

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of A. Sarok)
[Vojvodina, Serbia, date unknown]

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a male Northern Wheatear looking backwards (photo courtesy of H. Dahlem-Senger)
[Langeoog, Ostfriesland, Germany, September 2024]

Near-dorsal view of a male Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila do Bispo, Sagres, Faro, Algarve, Portugal, October 2020]

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Malarranha, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, August 2020]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Frontal view of a female Northern Wheatear - note the much less conspicuous face mask compared to the males shown above
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Frontal view of a female Northern Wheatear showing clearly the white rump (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-frontal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]

Near-lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2017]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vale Goncalinho, Castro Verde, Beja, Portugal, October 2024]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

Dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

Dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear at take-off, showing clearly the white rump (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2019]

Sex unknown

Distant view of two Northern Wheatears on a fallow field with rank vegetation, highlighting their excellent camouflage
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil Dam, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Near-frontal view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Charca do Prates, Arraiolos, Evora, Portugal, October 2025]

Lateral view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear looking towards the observer - note the dark centres on the wing coverts
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, September 2025]

Lateral view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Montargil Dam, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Lateral view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Lateral view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear with its tail cocked like a robin's (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Malarranha, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, October 2021]

Dorsal view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, October 2021]

Dorsal view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear spreading its wings; note the white rump common to all wheatears
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Malarranha, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Race "leucorhoa"

This race is also called the "Greenland Wheatear".

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Male Northern Wheatears, left, have black eye-stripes and in general a more conspicuous face mask and higher colour contrast than females.

MALE

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear looking sideways; the rich colours suggest that it is likely of the North-Atlantic race "leucorhoa" (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, April 2019]

Near-lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

Near-dorsal view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Castro Verde, Beja, Alentejo, Portugal, September 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear in flight (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Coruche, Santarem, Portugal, September 2018]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear looking at the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vale Goncalinho, Castro Verde, Beja, Portugal, October 2024]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear; despite the mellow light, this bird has such rich colours that it is likely of the North-Atlantic race "leucorhoa" (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2018]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, October 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear looking back at the observer (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

Dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-lateral view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2019]

Near-lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Tejo estuary, Portugal, August 2019]

Lateral view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear; note the black centres on the wing coverts and the buff front part of the supercilium (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Vila Franca de Xira, Tejo estuary, Portugal, October 2021]

Dorsal view of a first-winter Northern Wheatear looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Mora, Evora, Portugal, October 2018]

Race "libanotica"

ADULT

PAIR

Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Male Northern Wheatears, left, have black eye-stripes and in general a more conspicuous face mask and higher colour contrast than females.

Distant near-dorsal view of a pair of Northern Wheatears - male on the right, female on the left (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

MALE

Full-frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear in worn plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of A. Sarok)
[Vojvodina, Serbia, date unknown]

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear in worn plumage sitting on a rock ledge; the feathers on the chest are ruffled from preening, showing the black base colour (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear (photo courtesy of A. Sarok)
[Vojvodina, Serbia, date unknown]

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear in worn plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

FEMALE

Near-lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear in worn plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear in worn plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear collecting material to line its nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-dorsal view of a fledgling Northern Wheatear in its early scalloped plumage (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Breeding information

Breeding season: May - July

Eggs: 4 - 7

Incubation period: 13 - 14 days

Fledging age: 15 - 16 days

The length of the breeding season depends on geographic latitude and can start earlier and end later in southern parts of the range, while starting later and ending earlier in the northern parts of the range. The incubation period can vary from 10 to 18 days.

Nest building: Female

Incubation: Female

Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

Type: Basket in cavity

Material: Grass, moss, rootlets, feathers

Height above ground: N/A

Northern Wheatears are ground-nesting birds. Cavities in which they will nest can be entrances to abandoned rabbit warrens, rock crevices or gaps/holes in man-made structures.

Lateral/near-dorsal view of a pair of Northern Wheatears, male on the left; the crevice between the two birds was most likely their chosen nest site (photo courtesy of I. Chisnall)
[Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester, England, April 2021]

Frontal view of a male Northern Wheatear looking out over its territory (photo courtesy of I. Chisnall)
[Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester, England, April 2021]

Lateral view of a fale Northern Wheatear collecting nest material (photo courtesy of I. Chisnall)
[Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester, England, April 2021]

Lateral view of a fale Northern Wheatear collecting nest material; click on image for a wider overview
(photo courtesy of I. Chisnall)
[Holcombe Moor, Greater Manchester, England, April 2021]

Near-lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear collecting material to line its nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear collecting material to line its nest (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[June 2018]

Eggs

Size: 21 x 16 mm

Colour: Matted pale-blue, some with red-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Migratory

Elementary unit: Solitary

Northern Wheatears like to hunt from elevated perches (photo courtesy of G. Normand)
[Pyrenees, France, June 2019]

Food, Diet

Note that birds shown here can look quite different because they may belong to different races.

Lateral view of a male Northern Wheatear with its prey, a caterpillar (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Malarranha, near Mora, Evora, Portugal, August 2020]

Lateral view of a female Northern Wheatear with its prey (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Raia river, Mora, Evora, Portugal, September 2020]

Near-dorsal view of a female Northern Wheatear with its prey, a flying insect (photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Sorraia River, Santa Justa, Coruche, Portugal, September 2020]

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