Desert Wheatear

Oenanthe deserti

(O. d. deserti)

Armenian Name:	Անապատային քարաթռչնակ

See Plate 45 for Desert Wheatear and other similar species

Resident Status:	Casual
Length:	14-15 cm, Wing Span:24.5-29 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 348.
Description:	Mostly black tail; large whitish rump patch. Uniform pale grayish yellow-brown upperparts with darker wings and ear coverts; pale supercilium. Pale brown-yellow below with whitish throat and undertail coverts. By spring, pale feather edges wear off to reveal black lower head joined to mostly black wings in males.
Behavior:	Sits on rock or mound of earth. Hops rapidly across ground.
Habitat:	Arid steppe, semidesert, plowed fields.
Food:	Invertebrates.