Red-rumped wheatear facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Red-rumped wheatear
Male
Female both near Douz, Kébili, Tunisia
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification

The Red-rumped Wheatear is a small bird found in North Africa and the Middle East. It's also sometimes called the Buff-rumped Wheatear. This bird belongs to the Muscicapidae family, which includes many types of flycatchers and chats.

What Does a Red-rumped Wheatear Look Like?

The Red-rumped Wheatear is a small, sturdy bird with a large head. It has a reddish-brown (rufous) patch on its lower back, called the rump. Its tail is completely dark.

Male and Female Differences

Male Red-rumped Wheatears have a grey head and neck. Their throat and face are black, and they have a white stripe above their eye. Their shoulders and back are black with white edges on the feathers. The reddish-brown rump and tail base stand out, while the rest of the tail is black.

Female birds are lighter in color than males. They have a reddish-brown head and cheeks. Young birds look a lot like females, but their reddish-brown colors are not as strong. They might also have faint spots or streaks on their feathers.

Size and Flight

These birds are about 16 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. When they fly, they stay close to the ground. Their flight is loose and flapping, similar to how a Skylark flies.

What Does a Red-rumped Wheatear Sound Like?

Red-rumped Wheatears have different calls and songs. Their songs can even change depending on where the bird lives.

Territorial Songs

Both male and female birds sing to mark their territory. In some areas, their song is a harsh, chattering sound. In other places, like Cyrenaica, the song is more melodic and pleasant. It sounds like a repeated "twee-churr-urr-urr".

Courtship and Alarm Calls

During courtship, when birds are trying to find a mate, they sing a special duet. This song sounds like an old-fashioned boiling kettle, with a long, warbling whistle that gets higher in pitch. When they are alarmed or want to contact each other, they make harsh clicking sounds, much like other chat birds.

Where Do Red-rumped Wheatears Live?

Red-rumped Wheatears are found in two main areas. Scientists have identified two different groups, called subspecies.

• North Africa: This group lives from the very north of Mauritania all the way to the coastal areas of northwest Egypt.
• Middle East: This group is found in southern Syria and Jordan. Their range extends to northwestern Saudi Arabia and southwestern Iraq.

What Kind of Places Do They Like?

These birds prefer flat areas, especially those near salty or barren lands. They tend to avoid true deserts. In Morocco, they can be found in areas with more plants than the Desert Wheatear. They also live in rocky hills.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The Red-rumped Wheatear has a long breeding season. In North Africa, it lasts from late February through June. A pair of birds might even raise up to three groups of chicks in one season.

Nesting Habits

The nest is usually built deep underground in a small mammal's burrow. It can be up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) underground! Sometimes, they will use natural holes or cracks in walls. They might also hide their nest under a bush.

The nest itself is shaped like a cup. It's made from plant materials and lined with soft items. These can include feathers, wool, hair, and even shed snakeskin. A female bird usually lays 4 to 5 eggs. However, scientists still have a lot to learn about how these birds raise their young.

Images for kids

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  Male Red-rumped Wheatear

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  Female Red-rumped Wheatear