Breeding plumage - Vestmannaeyjar, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland - June 16, 2011
Credit: Ómar Runólfsson

North American field guide

Northern Wheatear

Oenanthe oenanthe

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Identification

Field notes

15 cm (6") Fairly common in summer in high arctic from Alaska to northeaster Canada; rare elsewhere. Conspicuous white rump. Distinctive flashy tail; white with a dark central and terminal band. Small active upright bird with tail fanning and constant bobbing habit.

Male: gray above; white with buff below; black face mask and black wings.

Female and Fall Male: brown above with brown wings and no face mask; buffy below.

Song: harsh "chak-chak".

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Videos

4 videos
Bird Advisor Identification rules 1 variant 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Northern Wheatear

2 rules
Rule 1 17 criteria confidence 3
What color was the UNDERSURFACE of the wing as seen in flight ?
Dark · Unknown
What colour were the WINGS ?
Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?
No · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?
Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour were the CHEEKS ?
White, or pale (grayish-white) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area running up the side of the neck or head · Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye · Dark area behind, under, through or around the eye · Crest of feathers on top of the head · Ear "tufts" or horns · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Warbler-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)
WHEN was the bird seen ?
Spring · Summer · Fall
result:725-northern-wheatear:1:1 Source: 725 Northern Wheatear, row 1
Rule 2 16 criteria confidence 3
What colour were the WINGS ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour TAIL PATTERN was there if any ?
Light outer edge or corners · Broad dark band across the tip · Unknown
Were the SIDES STREAKED, SPOTTED or BARRED ?
No · Unknown
Was the RUMP or LOWER BACK light ?
Yes · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour PATTERN if any was shown on the BREAST ?
Uniform color · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?
Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?
Straight and slender · Straight and thick · Conical and slender · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?
Short · Medium · Unknown
What colour were the CHEEKS ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?
Light area between the bill and the eye · Light area running up the side of the neck or head · Sideburn stripe running down beneath the eye · Dark area behind, under, through or around the eye · Crest of feathers on top of the head · Ear "tufts" or horns · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?
Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What colour was the TOP of HEAD ?
Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?
Smaller than a sparrow · Sparrow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?
Warbler-like · Songbird (ground or perching bird)