Hume’s Wheatear

Hume’s Wheatear
Hume’s Wheatear
Recordings 
Scientific Name 
Oenanthe albonigra
Arabic Name 
الفقاقة السوداء بيضاء البطن
Kuwaiti name 
فقاقة
Family 
Chats - Old World Flycatchers
Length 
16.5 cm
Least Concern

In Kuwait

Winter
Migrant
Vagrant
Non-breeder

Information

Vagrant. Single birds have been recorded in early spring, winter and rarely in autumn. Care must be taken not to confuse this species with the near identical Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata, which breeds in Iran.
Where in Kuwait 
Only 7 records for Kuwait with the last been seen in December 2009 in SAANR. It is commonly found on steep, rocky hillsides. The rocky outcrops and cliffs within this habitat provide Hume’s wheatear with look-outs to spot prey, sources of shade, refuge from predators. Most records for this species has been along Jal Al-Zor escarpment.
In the world 
It has a large range and a population that is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats. Its range extends from Iraq, eastwards to Pakistan and south to Oman. It is named after Allan Hume, the ornithologist who first identified the bird in 1872 in Pakistan and is easily identified by its bold, contrasting black and white plumage. A solitary and territorial species, this species has been described as a bold and fearless bird
Local threats 
Habitat loss and degradation and human disturbance