Eastern Black-eared Wheatear

Description:

Small with build much as Pied Wheatear and sharing same (variation in) tail pattern. Male of black-throated form (frequent in region) can be confused with male Finsch's Wheatear but black of throat/ear-coverts not joined with black of wings and shoulder; mantle whitish (summer) or buffish-grey (autumn). White-throated male told from ‘vittata' form of Pied Wheatear by pale mantle. Female Eastern Black-eared difficult to separate from Pied Wheatear, but has whitish chin (dusky in Pied), usually with slight rustiness below and sandier mantle. Hybridises with Pied Wheatear in E. Turkey. From immature Northern Wheatear by tail pattern. Voice Song resembles Pied's, rather variable, with dry, scratchy twittering mixed with clear whistles, often uttered in flight. Calls include a hard tack, a soft sneeze and a characteristic buzzing (like an angry fly!).

Habitat:

Sparsely vegetated, often stony slopes; any open area on passage