Photo: Veli Pohjonen / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Rusty-breasted Wheatear
Oenanthe frenata
Rusty-breasted Wheatear (Oenanthe frenata) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear (Oenanthe frenata) is a member of the Muscicapidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 19.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Muscicapidae Chats, Old World Flycatchers
- Genus Oenanthe
- Species frenata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 19.9 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear (Oenanthe frenata) is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane Eritrea (rare) and Ethiopia.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 19.9 g, with a wing length of about 9.6 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 291,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Rusty-breasted Wheatear?
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear is a small bird that weighs around 19.9 g.
Where does the Rusty-breasted Wheatear live?
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane Eritrea (rare) and Ethiopia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Rusty-breasted Wheatear belong to?
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear (Oenanthe frenata) belongs to the Muscicapidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Rusty-breasted Wheatear eat?
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Rusty-breasted Wheatear migrate?
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Rusty-breasted Wheatear endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Rusty-breasted Wheatear's range?
The Rusty-breasted Wheatear has a mapped global range of about 291,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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