# Northern Wheatear (*Oenanthe oenanthe*) The Northern Wheatear is a small bird with a beautiful, colorful plumage. It loves to hop around on the ground and can be found in open areas like fields and mountains. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Northern Wheatear](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Northern_wheatear_Oenanthe_oenanthe.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andreas Trepte, CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_wheatear_Oenanthe_oenanthe.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Wheatear has a distinctive white rump and tail with an inverted black 'T' pattern. Males sport a blue-grey back, black wings, and a prominent black eye mask, while females are duller brown. Their slender build and upright stance on the ground are characteristic. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Muscicapidae - **Genus:** Oenanthe ## Interesting facts - Males have a distinctive black "mask" across their eyes, making them look mysterious! - Their name "Wheatear" means "white arse" in Old English, for its bright white rump! - These tiny birds are champions of migration, some flying from Arctic Canada to Africa! - They often nest in old burrows dug by rabbits or other small animals for safety! ## Special abilities - **Epic Migrator:** Northern Wheatears can fly vast distances, even across oceans, because this helps them find the best food and breeding sites. - **Insect Hunter:** Northern Wheatears can quickly dart to catch flying insects because this helps them find prey in open, rocky areas. - **Burrow Dweller:** Northern Wheatears can nest in abandoned burrows or rock crevices because this helps protect their eggs and chicks. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 14.5-16.5 cm - **Wingspan:** 26-32 cm - **Weight:** 0.017-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 11-14 days - **Migration Distance:** 15000 km ## Diet & Feeding Northern Wheatears mostly eat insects and other small creepy crawlies they find on the ground. - **Primary Foods:** Beetles, Flies, Moths, Spiders, Ants, Larvae - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Merlin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/merlin) (*Falco columbarius*) — Swift aerial predator of small birds - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Opportunistic predator, especially near settlements - **Eats:** [Violet Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/violet-ground-beetle) (*Carabus violaceus*) — Common ground beetle prey item - **Depends on:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Uses abandoned rabbit burrows for nesting ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching birds from a distance and don't try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Wheatear? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Wheatear? 14.5-16.5 cm ### What is Northern Wheatear's wingspan? 26-32 cm ### How much does Northern Wheatear weigh? 0.017-0.03 kg ### How long does Northern Wheatear live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Northern Wheatear move? 45 km/h ### What does Northern Wheatear eat? Northern Wheatears mostly eat insects and other small creepy crawlies they find on the ground. ### Where is Northern Wheatear usually found? Grasslands ## Where to spot - [Lighthouse Point Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lighthouse-point-park) — US · Nature Reserve - [Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-saxony-wadden-sea-national-park) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Onion Portage Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/onion-portage-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District [View all places to see Northern Wheatear](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-wheatear) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Northern Wheatear: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-wheatear)