Abyssinian Wheatear
Oenanthe lugubris
Abyssinian Wheatear (Oenanthe lugubris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Abyssinian Wheatear (Oenanthe lugubris) is a member of the Muscicapidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 22.4 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 lugubris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 22.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Vulnerable
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Abyssinian Wheatear is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of rocky terrain, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Abyssinian Wheatear is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Abyssinian Wheatear (Oenanthe lugubris) is a member of the Muscicapidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e Africa.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 22.4 g, with a wing length of about 8 cm and a tail of around 5.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Abyssinian Wheatear?
The Abyssinian Wheatear is a small bird that weighs around 22.4 g.
Where does the Abyssinian Wheatear live?
The Abyssinian Wheatear is found across Africa with a range covering AF e Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Abyssinian Wheatear belong to?
The Abyssinian Wheatear (Oenanthe lugubris) belongs to the Muscicapidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Abyssinian Wheatear eat?
The Abyssinian Wheatear is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Abyssinian Wheatear migrate?
The Abyssinian Wheatear is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Abyssinian 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.
What sound does the Abyssinian Wheatear make?
1 real field recording of the Abyssinian Wheatear — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
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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Guides for this bird
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Meet the Muscicapidae
A field guide to the Muscicapidae family — 355 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.