Desert Wheatear

Oenanthe deserti

Rare vagrants from Eastern Europe & North Africa with 150 records for Britain & 10 records for Ireland, between November-December.

Breeds on dry, sandy steppe heath in North Africa.

Winters in North Africa.

The head and nape of the Adult Male are a pale sandy-grey colour with the feathers tipped grey.

The mantle, scapulars and back are a similar but rather richer colour.

The Female has similar plumage but the rump and upper tail-coverts are more sandy brown, the lores, chin and throat pale buff and the dark parts of the tail brownish-black.

Juveniles are similar to Females but the feathers on the upper parts of the body have pale centres and brown tips which gives the bird a more speckled appearance.