Variable Wheatear
A species of Wheatears Scientific name : Oenanthe picata Genus : Wheatears
Variable Wheatear, A species of Wheatears
Botanical name: Oenanthe picata
Genus: Wheatears
Content
Description General Info
Photo By T. R. Shankar Raman , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The variable wheatear is a bird of arid and semi-arid region, and is locally abundant in barren rocky areas, sand dunes with scrub vegetation, cultivation, ravines, outside villages and nomadic encampments. It is polymorphic and has three distinct morphs. Black-bellied phase ('opistholeuca'). Male (adult). Entirely jet black except rump, under tail-coverts, base and sides of tail which are white; central rectrices and terminal band of tail black. Female has black parts replaced by sooty black. White-bellied phase ('picata') Male (adult). Like the preceding but belly white. Female similar to male but black parts replaced by grayish brown; belly more buffish. White-crowned phase ('capistrata'). Male (adult). Like picata, with white belly and black throat, but crown and nape white. Female similar to male but black parts and crown earthy brown; belly more buffish. The geographical dominance of the three types of females does not exactly correspond to the dominances of the three color phases of the males, but in their wintering grounds there is some corresponding separation. 
Size
15 cm
Feeding Habits
Variable Wheatear predominantly feeds on small insects like ants, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, and moths, including hawkmoths. Occasionally, variable Wheatear consumes fruits and berries. Variable Wheatear hunts actively on the ground, in the air, and from perches, sometimes bringing caterpillars to its nestlings.
Habitat
The variable Wheatear is typically found in arid and semi-arid habitats, including low mountains, weathered foothills, grassy deserts, stony outcrops, and clay canyons. It inhabits elevations ranging from sea level to around 2400 meters, with higher elevations of up to 2700 meters observed occasionally. During breeding season, it prefers montane landscapes within its elevation range. In non-breeding seasons, the variable Wheatear frequents open rocky areas, semi-deserts with sparse scrubland, agricultural fields, and is often found near human settlements such as villages and brick kilns. It has a broad geographical presence across southwest and central Asia, encompassing regions with highly variable topography.
Dite type
Insectivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
This species is found in northeast and southeast Iran and Turkmenistan eastern to western Tien Shan, Pamirs, and northern and western Pakistan; non-breeding in southwest Asia. Common and generally distributed in winter in Pakistan and northwestern India southeast to Delhi, central Madhya Pradesh and northern Maharashtra (Khandesh). Arrives on breeding grounds in March (Baluchistan) or mid April (Chitral), remains till September. May be seen in winter quarters from the beginning of August (Karachi dist) till the end of March. In winter frequents stony semi-desert, and desert with sparsely scrubbed sand dunes, cultivation, ravines, outskirts of villages and nomadic encampments, cattle corrals, etc.; usually from almost sea level to c. 1200 m, but has been observed also at 2700 m in deep snow.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Perching birds Family
Old world flycatchers Genus
Wheatears Species
Variable Wheatear 
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