Scientific name: Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829)
Bird group: Thrushes and allies
Field characters. 16.5 cm. Resembles a large female Northern Wheatear. Bill and legs longer, head larger and stance usually more upright. Head and upperparts sandy-grey, breast buff, rest of underparts white. Tail pattern as in all wheatears, with black distal band and black central tail feathers, forming an inverted 'T' on otherwise white tail. Black distal tail band broader than in Northern Wheatear. Wings darker than upperparts but generally lighter than Northern Wheatear; only alula contrastingly black (in Northern Wheatear alula as dark as rest of wing). Sexes similar, but male has black lores.
Voice. Generally silent. Call 'chack', 'tek'. Fluent and rich song with loud fluting tones, mimicking other birds.
Distribution. Locally common summer visitor in extreme south-east of region; increasing.
Habitat. Favours open plains strewn with scattered scrub and boulders, rocky slopes and high fields during breeding season. In winter in open stony plains.
Food. Invertebrates, mainly ant and beetles. Often sits on low perch, but also runs or hops over ground to chase prey.