Bird · GBIF taxon 5231245
Isabelline Wheatear
Oenanthe isabellinaIsabelline wheatears are pale, sandy-brown songbirds tailored for life across wide-open steppes and arid plains. Standing in a tall, upright posture on long black legs, they forage by dashing along bare ground to capture insects or watching for prey from low earthen mounds. They frequently nest deep inside the abandoned burrows of ground squirrels and pikas, avoiding harsh daytime temperatures on the open terrain.
MigratoryInsectivorousGround-Nesting
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Ants
- Grasshoppers
Predators
- Falcons
- Owls
- Snakes
ThreatsAgricultural intensification and overgrazing of steppe habitats
HabitatsSteppes, semi-deserts, stony plains, and dry pastures
Life span3–6 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPasseriformes
- FamilyMuscicapidae
- GenusOenanthe
- SpeciesOenanthe isabellina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Scanning Low Perches: Look for birds perching upright on dirt mounds, fences, or low rocks.
- Listening to Song: Listen for fluid whistle phrases mixed with mimicry of other steppe bird calls.
Close Relative Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Stephen M., some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by neotrigonia · cc0
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