Black Wheatear

Black Wheatear ( Oenanthe leucura )

The Black Wheatear ( Oenanthe leucura ) or Trauerschmätzer is a species of bird in the family of flycatchers ( Muscicapidae ).

Description

The Wheatear is just under 18 centimeters in length significantly larger than a Wheatear ( Oenanthe Oenanthe ) and shows predominantly black plumage, the slightly glossy and intensely black after the moult, is matter for the breeding season. The rump and under tail-coverts are like the shock white, the latter shows a striking, black, terminal T- drawing. The flight feathers are bright hemmed. The female is very similar to the male, but usually dull, brownish black. But the difference is usually only in direct comparison easy to spot.

Due to its size and the color of the Black Wheatear can be easily distinguished from other Steinschmätzern. He can only be confused with Saharasteinschmätzern in the first year, which still lack the species-typical white cap. In these, the white plumage on the underside of the abdomen but reaches up to the legs. Moreover, the black cock drawing does not form a continuous binding. The also very similar subscribed subspecies opistoleuca of Elstersteinschmätzers ( Oenanthe picata ) is much smaller and more delicate, dull black and shows no bright Schwungfedersäume.

Voice

The song, which will be carried forward from an elevated point of view, consists of short, about one-second, silent verses of melodic whistling or unclean scratchy sounds. When excited or in flight, the verses can be much longer. The Imponiergesang which is recited during the " Imponiertanzes " can next to creaking and trilling sounds imitations of other species included. In conflict situations, of a faint female vocals motive is sometimes heard, sometimes both partners communicate with quiet, softer vocals.

Warning against ground enemies are the Black Wheatear from a short, harsh " tschäk " or " Grak " in flight enemies, this is a plaintive " ju " or " jüb ", similar to the warning cry of the Blue Merle. The Erregungsruf is a high "pie - pie - pie", " krirr " or " hehehe ".

Subspecies and distribution

• Oenanthe leucura leucura ( JF Gmelin, 1789) - Iberian Peninsula and southernmost France
• Oenanthe leucura syenitica ( Heuglin, 1869) - North-West Africa east to north-west Libya

Way of life

The annual bird inhabits rocky deserts and mountains. The nest is built in caves among the rocks. It consists of tightly braided together blades of grass and rootlets, which are carefully lined inside with goat hair. Often the input by a small wall of pebbles is protected. The nest consists of four to five eggs.