- Oenanthe cypriaca
Identification
14-15cm.
- Tail with relatively wide terminal black band
Similar species
Pied Wheatear has a narrower terminal black band (less so in younger individuals?) that frequently is broken by parts of some feathers being white.
Distribution
This wheatear is an endemic breeder in Cyprus where it is very common from about the beginning of April to mid-October.
Winters in southern Sudan and Ethiopia.
There are also migrant Pied Wheatears on Cyprus - beware of confusion if on the coast during migration periods.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
It seems to occur in all sorts of habitats from sea-level to high in the Troodos Mountains. It has a thin piercing song that soon becomes familiar as you walk through the Troodos Forest. Unlike other wheatears, it is if anything commoner in woods than in open country.
Behaviour
In the Troodos it behaves very like a flycatcher or redstart.
Diet
The diet include insects.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- cypruswildlife.gov
- Birdforum thread discussing id of Cyprus and Pied Wheatears
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Cyprus Wheatear. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 24 January 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Cyprus_Wheatear
