Desert wheatear : Oenanthe deserti

 

Plate 1: Desert wheatear : Oenanthe deserti

Plate 2: Desert wheatear : Oenanthe deserti
Notice the throat

This is my first photograph of this skittish bird even though I’ve spotted it before often. I attribute this to three things – a less fearful/well-fed (perhaps) bird, open grassland which permits visibility, and the new lens which allows greater reach. I don’t have to always creep up close and risk disturbing the subjects.

Desert wheatear : Oenanthe deserti

IUCN Status:  Least Concern

Main features: This is a male Desert wheatear in summer plumage or breeding plumage. The main features are as follows:

1.       About the size of sparrow

2.      Largely black tail with contrasting white rump

3.      Black throat, which may be partially obscured by white feathers when fresh or when winter plumage begins. (Clearly visible in Plate 2 above)

4.      Buff mantle

5.      White superciliary arch (Clearly visible in Plate 1 above)

6.      Underparts are buff to white.

Insectivorous as can be made out from its beak.

Photographed at Tal Chappar, Churu, Rajasthan, India on 3.10.2014

Camera used: Nikon D5100 DSLR with Tamron 150-600mm Lens.