Eastern Black-eared Wheatear

Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (Male pale-throated form)
Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (Male)
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Oenanthe hispanica melanoleuca
Arabic Name 
الفقاقة سوداء الأذن الشرقية
Kuwaiti name 
فقاقة زيانية
Family 
Chats - Old World Flycatchers
Length 
15.0 cm
Least Concern
Similar species 
Finsch’s Wheatear

In Kuwait

Migrant
Frequent
Non-breeder

Information

Uncommon passage migrant. A typical Mediterranean breeder; arriving in small numbers this far east. Usually seen singly, but up to 10 recorded at Al-Abraq in mid March 2000.
Where in Kuwait 
During migration it can be found in open, rocky areas with scrubby vegetation, on slopes or foothills and has been recorded at Al Abraq, SAANR and north of Jal Al-Zor
In the world 
It has an extremely large range and in Europe, trends since 1996 show that populations have undergone a moderate decline. The species is dimorphic with eastern and western races, sometimes split as Eastern Black-eared Wheatear (Oenanthe melanoleuca) and Western Black-eared Wheatear (which then retains the name hispanica). The eastern O. h. melanoleuca is found in the eastern Mediterranean, and migrates to winter quarters in the Sudan. The male of the eastern form is even whiter in summer than the western bird, but as a rule may be distinguished by the line which extends across the base of the bill.
Local threats 
Habitat loss and degradation and indiscriminate shooting